Gender, Mental Health and Socioeconomic Differences in Fibromyalgia: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Real-World Data from Catalonia

Abstract

The main objective of our study was to assess the associated risk between fibromyalgia (FM) and the incidence of the diagnosis of anxiety and depression in the general population during the years 2010–2017 in Catalonia. Method: A retrospective cohort study was designed using the Information System for Research Development in Primary Care database. All patients with FM were included (n = 56,098) and matched to the control group in a 1:2 pairing ratio (n = 112,196). The demographic variables studied were sex, age and socio-economic status. Results: Patients with FM have a lower survival rate if they are also diagnosed with anxiety and depression during the entire study period, with the rate being 26.6% lower in FM patients at an 8-year follow-up (0.58, 95%CI: 0.57–0.59 vs. 0.79, 95%CI: 0.78–0.79). There is a 58% reduction in the risk of developing anxiety and/or depression in the control group vs. the FM group (p-value < 0.05), and by 45% in male vs. female sex (p-value < 0.05). Conclusions: FM is a disease that is associated with anxiety and depression, and men are at lower risk of anxiety and depression after FM diagnosis.