Prevalence and Symptom Progression of Fibromyalgia in Menopausal Women

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Prevalence and Symptom Progression of Fibromyalgia in Menopausal Women: A 12-Week Observational Cohort Study

• IRAS ID

  352195

• Contact name

  Dharani Hapangama

• Contact email

  dharani@liverpool.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Liverpool

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 6 months, 20 days

• Research summary

  This study aims to explore the relationship between fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and menopause. Studies have shown that menopause and fibromyalgia have an overlap in the symptoms experienced, such as fatigue, brain fog, low mood and muscle and joint pain. FMS is more commonly seen in women (80%) aged 40-60, many of the women in this age group will be peri-menopausal or menopausal. Research has identified that FMS symptoms worsen around the menopause transition, for some women FMS is first experienced at menopause.
  The primary aim of this study aims to identify the prevalence of symptoms suggestive of FMS in postmenopausal women. Secondary aims are to examine the change in symptoms and symptom scores associated with FMS and menopause after 12 weeks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), identify whether specific menopause symptoms are more prevalent among postmenopausal women exhibiting symptoms associated with FMS and finally to explore the demographics of participants who exhibit symptoms suggestive of FMS.
  To do this we will recruit women over 45 attending the menopause clinic at Liverpool Women’s Hospital and give a 3-part questionnaire assessing demographics, menopause symptoms and fibromyalgia symptoms (as per the ACR2016 criteria). Patients in this clinic will be routinely given HRT. After 12 weeks we will give the questionnaire again to identify any changes to symptoms after treatment. This questionnaire-based study does not require funding, and participants should not be seen non-routinely. We will recruit participants for 15 weeks, aiming to recruit 75 to 150 participants. This study aims to bridge the gap of knowledge between FMS and menopause and identify if HRT is a possible treatment option for alleviating FMS symptoms in menopausal women.
  

• REC name

  East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/EM/0034

• Date of REC Opinion

  27 Feb 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion