Prevalence of Juvenile Fibromyalgia Syndrome Among Children and Adolescents and its Relationship With Academic Success, Depression and Quality of Life, Çorum Province, Turkey

Özet

Objectives: This study aims to determine the frequency of juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome (JFMS) among children and adolescents in ÇorumProvince, Turkey, and its impact by comparing the levels of academic success, depression and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with and withoutJFMS.Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 476 children and adolescents (245 boys, 231 girls; mean age 13.81±2.3 years;range, 9 to 17 years). The control group (non-JFMS group) consisted of 105 age- and sex-matched healthy participants (75 girls, 30 boys; mean age14.1±1.8 years; range; 9 to 17 years). Participants’ sociodemographic data, parental information, and school achievement in addition to data on chronicillness and drug use were collected via questionnaires (depression and QoL). A tender point (TP) examination was performed on each participant.Results: Thirty-five (7.35%) of the participants (girls, n=25; boys, n=10) were diagnosed with JFMS. The number of minor JFMS diagnostic criteria,number of TPs, depression level and number of days the participants were absent from school were significantly higher in the JFMS group comparedwith the non-JFMS group (p<0.05). The mean grade point scores of the JFMS group were significantly lower than those of the non-JFMS group(p<0.05). The QoL subgroup scores as assessed by physical functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning and school-related problems ofthe JFMS group were significantly lower than the non-JFMS group (p<0.05). Age had a statistically significant negative correlation with QoL andschool-related problems (r= -0.421, r= -0.494; p<0.05, respectively). Depression was negatively correlated with QoL and school-related problems(r= -0.672, r= -0.731; p<0.05, respectively).Conclusion: Juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome affects QoL and can lead to school absenteeism, poor academic performance, depression and anxietyamong the school-age population. Early identification of JFMS and early intervention may be the most effective strategy for preventing problemsin later life.