Fibromyalgia Statistics

When looking at fibromyalgia statistics it is hard to imagine that this disease was only accepted as a real disease a decade ago. The staggering numbers are hard to ignore and it is important to look at how they effect the world.

Fibromyalgia is one of the most prevalent chronic pain conditions to date. It affects people of ever race, gender, and age. In the US alone it is estimated that 10 million people are afflicted with this horrible disease. Across the world it is estimated that 3-6% of the global population has the disorder. It is common for fibromyalgia to run in a family and it is therefore thought that there is a predisposition to it in the genes.

While fibromyalgia effects both genders, fibromyalgia in men is much rarer. Approximately 75-90% of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. Many believe this statistic is skewed because men do not go to a doctor when sick.

Fibromyalgia also has a staggering effect on the economy. In the United States alone it is estimated that fibromyalgia related problems cost around $12-14 billion every single year. Specialists also estimate that 1-2% of the overall productivity in the USA is lost to fibromyalgia.

With numbers this high for those diagnosed and the impact it has on society as a whole, fibromyalgia should be studied more thoroughly so a cure can be found.