Insomnia and fibromyalgia-like symptoms among women diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in Jordan: Prevalence and correlates

Abstract

Objective

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of fibromyalgia and insomnia in a convenience sample of Women with Multiple Sclerosis (WMS).

Methods

The study was cross-sectional in design and recruited a sample of 163 women with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Fibromyalgia was assessed using the Patient Self-Report Survey (PSRS), which follows criteria outlined by the American College of Rheumatology. Insomnia was measured using the Arabic version of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-A).

Results

The prevalence of fibromyalgia and insomnia was 28.2% (n = 46) and 46.3% (n = 76), respectively. Multivariate analyses were used to determine significant independent correlates. Fibromyalgia was associated with age above 40 years (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.01-5.18, P = .04), high school education (OR = 3.69, 95% CI = 1.62-8.37, P = .002), and non-use of analgesics (OR = .02, 95% CI = .004-.21, P = .001). Insomnia symptoms were significantly associated only with age above 40 years (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.16-4.04, P = .01).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the need for increased attention by primary care physicians towards diagnosing and treating fibromyalgia and insomnia among women with RRMS in Jordan, particularly for older women.