Obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with fibromyalgia syndrome: A retrospective case-control study

Year 2026, Volume: 17 Issue: 57 , 52 - 58 , 16.04.2026

Gülsemin Ertürk Çelik

https://doi.org/10.17944/interdiscip.1819793

https://izlik.org/JA99TG24UX

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to investigate the relationship between disease severity and complications.
Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted between August 2018 and August 2019. Sixty pregnant women diagnosed with FMS according to the 2016 ACR criteria were compared with 71 healthy pregnant women. FMS severity was assessed using the Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptom Severity Scale (SSS). Obstetric complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal outcomes were recorded.
Results: The mean age of pregnant women with FMS was significantly higher (30.8±4.6 vs 27.9±5.1 years, p=0.002). The preterm birth rate was 26.7% in the FMS group and 7.0% in the control group (p<0.001). Premature rupture of membranes was more frequent in the FMS group (18.3% vs 5.6%, p=0.003). Birth weight was significantly lower in the FMS group (2,880±410 vs 3,210±390 g, p<0.001). The rate of Apgar 1 <7 was 66.7% in the FMS group and 4.2% in the control group (p<0.001). Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rate was higher in the FMS group (21.7% vs 4.2%, p=0.002). Complication rates increased as disease severity increased (p<0.05).
Conclusion: FMS is associated with serious obstetric and neonatal complications during pregnancy. Risks increase in parallel with disease severity. Pregnant women with FMS should be considered a high-risk group and managed with a multidisciplinary approach.

Keywords

Fibromyalgia syndrome , pregnancy , preterm birth , neonatal outcomes , obstetric complications

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