The effect of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on fibromyalgia

Obes Surg. 2008 Jun;18(6):652-5. doi: 10.1007/s11695-008-9505-z. Epub 2008 Apr 8.

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic debilitating disorder affecting 3-5% of the US population. Treatment of this disorder is a challenge. The incidental finding of improvement of fibromyalgia following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass stimulated us to study this phenomenon.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with fibromyalgia who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Results: Postoperative decrease in median of BMI from 49.4 to 29.7 was significant (p value = 0.0010). This was associated with statistically significant improvement in median of pain score (p value = 0.0010) and median points of tenderness (p value = 0.0010).

Conclusion: Significant weight loss following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is associated with resolution or improvement of fibromyalgia. Consequently, the bariatric surgeon should be a member of the multidisciplinary team approach for treating fibromyalgia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / complications
  • Fibromyalgia / drug therapy*
  • Fibromyalgia / physiopathology
  • Gastric Bypass*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity, Morbid / complications
  • Obesity, Morbid / surgery*