Introduction Patients with fibromyalgia have numerous, persistent and debilitating symptoms. Sleep complaints are well-nigh universal in patients with fibromyalgia. We reviewed the polysomnography results of consecutive patients referred to a tertiary sleep centre for investigation of their sleep complaints

Objectives To determine the usefulness of polysomnography in the work-up of sleep complaints of patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods

• A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary National Health Service (NHS) hospital sleep disorders centre

• Clinical notes of the fibromyalgia patients at initial consultation with the sleep clinician were reviewed.

• The polysomnography studies were then reviewed, noting the main study findings.

• Clinical notes and treatment advice post sleep studies were then reviewed

Results 106 fibromyalgia patients were referred for polysomnography.

15 were male and 91 were female.

Their ages ranged from 27 to 79. The mean age was 58.

Periodic limb movements of sleep were seen in the majority of patients but some of these patients were on anti-depressant medications. Pregabalin was the most frequently prescribed medication.

The second most frequent finding was obstructive sleep apnoea and PAP therapy was recommended in the majority.

A good number of patients had insignificant findings on polysomnography (table 1).

Discussion The two most common findings were of periodic limb movements of sleep and sleep apnoea. In that respect, polysomnography is useful in the work up of fibromyalgia patients.

Some of the polysomnography findings were due to the medications the patients were taking for the fibromyalgia, e.g. periodic limb movements of sleep, reduced REM sleep proportion and REM without atonia.

It would have been quite interesting to know if PAP therapy helped improve the pain but this was not mentioned.