Best of Meeting Abstract: Tobacco Linked to Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients With Fibromyalgia

Best of Meeting Abstract: Tobacco Linked to Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients With Fibromyalgia

Newswise — Patients with fibromyalgia who use tobacco products are at greater risk for cognitive impairment and other symptoms that affect quality of life, according to the results of a study from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MI.

Ryan D'Souza, Lin Ge, Terry Oh, Arya Mohabbat, Ann Vincent, W. Michael Hooten, Li Jiang, Mary Whipple, Samantha McAllister, Zhen Wang, and Wenchun Qu received a Best of Meeting Award and a Resident/Fellow Travel Award from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine for their abstract of the study, “Tobacco Use in Fibromyalgia Is Associated With Cognitive Dysfunction: A Prospective Cohort Study,” which will be presented on Thursday, November 15, 2018, during the 17th Annual Pain Medicine Meeting in San Antonio, TX.

Fibromyalgia is a common disorder affecting more than five million Americans. Although widespread pain is a fundamental symptom, cognitive impairment is actually one of the major manifestations and is sometimes colloquially referred to as “fibrofog.” Cognitive impairment may be even more disabling than pain symptoms, leading to memory decline, mental confusion, and concentration difficulties.

To identify potential risk factors, D’Souza et al. investigated the association of tobacco use and cognition in 668 patients with fibromyalgia from May 2012–November 2013. Specifically, the researchers found an association of worse overall cognitive function, language, verbal memory, visual-spatial memory, and concentration. They also identified that tobacco use was associated with increased fibromyalgia symptom severity, worse quality of life, worse sleep, and increased anxiety and depression.

The 17th Annual Pain Medicine Meeting will be held November 15–17, 2018, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in Texas. The meeting brings together a world-renowned expert faculty to share their practical experience in pain medicine; discuss novel, emerging, and standard therapies; and address challenges such as the opioid crisis and financial toxicity.