Table 1

Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics and antipolymer antibody (APA) levels of 285 fibromyalgia patients.


All fibromyalgia patients
Patients with APA >30 U
Patients with APA <30 U

Gender (females/males)
270/15
57/3
213/12
Age (years) (median (range))
54 (19–82)
46 (19–74)
56 (20–82)
Tender points
14.29 ± 0.29
13.88 ± 0.83
14.30 ± 0.34
Tender Point Index
2.17 ± 0.04
2.17 ± 0.12
2.19 ± 0.04
Onset disease
9.19 ± 0.60
8.77 ± 1.19
10.11 ± 0.67
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
58.21 ± 1.22
55.89 ± 2.59
58.46 ± 1.39
Tiredness
6.96 ± 0.17
7.16 ± 0.41
6.88 ± 0.19
Pain
6.80 ± 0.17
6.31 ± 0.42
6.87 ± 0.18

Results expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean. The Tender Point Index was calculated as the sum of each positive tender point score divided by the total number of tender points.

Bazzichi et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007 9:R86   doi:10.1186/ar2285