Prevalence of fibromyalgia in patients with a preliminary diagnosis of polyneuropathy: a cross-sectional analysis based on electromyographic findings

Aims: The clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and polyneuropathy (PNP), particularly due to similarities in pain and sensory symptoms, necessitates their concurrent evaluation in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia in consecutive patients referred to the electromyography (EMG) unit with suspected PNP, to examine the association between fibromyalgia and clinical as well as electrophysiological findings, and to emphasize the importance of a holistic diagnostic approach in this patient population.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 177 patients referred to the EMG Unit of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of PNP who underwent nerve conduction studies. Data were collected through face-to face questionnaires and EMG examinations performed by an experienced physician. Sociodemographic and clinical variables (age, sex, and pain severity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale VAS) were recorded. Fibromyalgia was evaluated according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria. Electromyographic findings were categorized according to whether PNP was present or absent.Results: The mean age was 60.7±11.7 years, and 66.1% of the patients were female. EMG evaluation revealed PNP in 49.7% of the patients. The prevalence of fibromyalgia was 54.2% and was significantly higher in female patients (p