Table 1

Socio-demographic characteristics of females with fibromyalgia at baseline


Exercise group
Control group
p Value

Age (years)a
50.7 (10.6)
50.9 (6.7)
0.935
Body mass index (kg/m2)a
28.8 (4.5)
26.6 (3.5)
0.147
Duration of symptoms (years)a
20.1 (8.0)
19.4 (6.9)
0.791
Number of tender points (1 to 18 points)a
16.9 (1.8)
17.2 (1.3)
0.563
Number of specific drugs (anti depressives, muscular relaxants, analgesics)a
1.3 (0.8)
1.5 (0.8)
0.379
Employment status, n (%):b


0.750
Blue collar
8 (53.3)
6 (40.0)

White collar
2 (13.3)
3 (20.0)

Unemployed
5 (33.3)
6 (40.0)

Education level, n:b


0.184
Unfinished studies
1 (6.7)
1 (6.7)

Primary school
9 (60.0)
6 (40.0)

Secondary school
1 (6.7)
6 (40.0)

University degree
4 (26.7)
2 (13.3)


aValues expressed as mean (SD), p values from analysis of variance (ANOVA); bp values from analysis of Chi-square.

Gusi and Tomas-Carus Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008 10:R24   doi:10.1186/ar2377