[Effect of the Coexistence of Fibromyalgia in the DAS28 Index in Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis]

Objective: To compare the effect of coexisting fibromyalgia in DAS28 in RA female patients.

Patients and method: Fifty-three RA women seen consecutively in an outpatient rheumatology clinic were included and classified according to the presence (9 women) or absence (44 women) of fibromyalgia. ESR, number of tender and swollen joints, and global assessment by the patient through a visual analogue scale were recorded, as well as other functional and emotional variables.

Results: There were no differences in age, time since onset of the arthritis, number of swollen joints, ESR, and CRP. Number of tender joints, global assessment by the patient, and functional and emotional aspects were worse in patients with fibromyalgia. DAS28 was higher when fibromyalgia was associated to RA (5.55 ± 0.78 vs 3.39 ± 1.15; P = .000).

Conclusions: Coexistence of fibromyalgia increases DAS28 in women with RA.