DYSPHAGIA IN FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME IN WOMEN: TRUTH OR MYTH? A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the presence of dysphagia with multidimensional objective tests in FM female patients with and without dysphagia symptom compared to healthy female subjects. Methods: A case control study was conducted on 165 subjects (21 FM patients with dysphagia symptom, 62 FM patients without dysphagia symptom and 82 healthy subjects). All subjects were evaluated with a clinical screening test, endoscopy, electrophysiology of swallowing (dysphagia limit and swallowing intervals) and musculoskeletal ultrasound (cross-sectional thickness and area of swallowing muscles). Patients (with and without dysphagia symptom) and healthy subjects were compared in terms of all evaluation parameters. Results: The mean age of 165 subjects was [Formula: see text] years and all subjects ([Formula: see text], 100%) were female. Endoscopic evaluation results were similar among three groups ([Formula: see text]). Both the functional evaluation of swallowing measured by swallowing intervals ([Formula: see text]-value between 0.001 and 0.004) and the structural features assessed by the ultrasound ([Formula: see text]-value between 0.001 and 0.007) were significantly impaired in patient groups compared to healthy subjects. FM patients without dysphagia symptom also had significant impairments in function ([Formula: see text]-value between 0.001 and 0.004 for swallowing intervals) and structural features ([Formula: see text]-value between 0.001 and 0.007 for cross-sectional thickness and area of swallowing muscles) compared to healthy subjects. Conclusion: The structure and function of swallowing may be affected in patients with FM, even without dysphagia symptoms.