Sociodemographic Characteristics and Comorbidities of Primary Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Study

IntroductionFibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and multiple somatic symptoms. However, data on primary fibromyalgia in the West Bank remain limited, particularly regarding clinical characteristics and associated comorbidities in clinic-based populations.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 301 patients diagnosed with primary fibromyalgia at the Al Ahli Outpatient Clinic. Data were collected from electronic health systems and paper-based medical records from January 2020 to January 2024. The analysis examined demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and occupational distribution using SPSS version 28.ResultsAmong the 301 patients with primary fibromyalgia, a marked female predominance was observed (86%; female-to-male ratio 6:1), with a mean age of 38.28 ± 10.65 years. Most patients were older than 35 years (64.8%). Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 42.2% of patients, followed by irritable bowel syndrome (40.2%) and insomnia (35.5%). Hypothyroidism was present in 9% of patients, while cardiovascular and metabolic conditions were reported in 23.6% of the cohort. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant associations between occupation and sex (r = -0.664, p < 0.001) and between occupation and age (r = -0.250, p < 0.001).ConclusionPrimary fibromyalgia in this clinic-based population was characterized by a high proportion of female patients and a notable burden of comorbid conditions. The observed occupation-gender associations and the high proportion of housewives may reflect sociocultural patterns within the study population. These findings provide baseline clinical data on primary fibromyalgia and may support improved clinical recognition and management strategies in similar healthcare settings.