Prevalence of fibromyalgia among individuals with psychiatric disorders

Although fibromyalgia was historically viewed as a psychiatric disorder, it is now recognized as a distinct clinical entity characterized by chronic widespread pain and a range of associated symptoms. Numerous studies have sought to identify the factors involved in the onset, precipitation, and persistence of fibromyalgia. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of fibromyalgia across the different psychiatric diagnostic categories encountered at the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 320 patients attending psychiatric consultations were recruited on a voluntary basis. Fibromyalgia screening was performed using the Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool (FiRST) developed by Perrot et al., combined with the assessment of Yunus tender points.Different proportions of fibromyalgia cases were observed across the psychiatric categories. Overall, the prevalence of fibromyalgia was estimated at 41.6%. As the first study on fibromyalgia conducted in Côte d'Ivoire, these findings provide evidence for the existence of this condition within the Ivorian population, particularly among psychiatric patients. Further population-based studies are needed to determine the overall prevalence of fibromyalgia in the general population.