Objective: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic widespread pain (CWP) in Korean. Methods: Those who participated chronic pain field study in Uljin and Pohang, Kyongsangbuk-do in 2004 were evaluated for the prevalence of FMS and CWP. Diagnosis of FMS and CWP were made using American College of Rheumatology criteria. All 1,028 were interviewed based on a detailed questionnaire and 144 CWP patients were examined for tender points. Results: Among the 1,028 participants (mean age⁑SD, 63.3⁑12.7 years), 676 participants were female (mean age⁑SD, 62.1⁑13.5 years) and 352 participants were male (mean age⁑SD, 65.7⁑10.5 years). There were 23 cases of FMS (2.2%), which consisted of 21 female cases and 2 cases of male. Prevalence of FMS was significantly higher in female compared to male (3.1% vs 0.6%, p＜0.01). Prevalence of FMS showed increasing trend in the ascending order of age in decade (p＜0.001). CWP was detected in 144 cases (14.0%), which consisted of 130 female cases and 14 cases of male. Prevalence of CWP was also significantly higher in female compared to male (19.2% vs 4.0%, p＜0.001). Prevalence of CWP also showed increasing trend in the ascending order of age in decade (p＜0.001). Except for age and sex, hating vegetablesis an associated factor for the development of FMS in CWP [OR 18.7 (95% CI 2.4, 145.3)] and diabetes is a risk factor for the development of FMS in normal population [OR 3.7 (95% CI 1.1, 11.9)] on multivariate analyses. Conclusion: The prevalence of FMS and CWP were 2.2% and 14.0% in Korean, respectively. The prevalence of FMS and CWP were significantly higher in female and aged individuals. Aging, female sex, hating vegetables and diabetes are prognostic factors for the development of FMS.

Keywords: Fibromyalgia, Chronic widespread pain, Prevalence, Risk factors