Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by widespread pain and diffuse tenderness. FMS is more prevalent in females rather than males, and among patients with major depression disorder (MDD).

to obtain better conception of linkage between depression, gender and FMS.

42 male and 42 age matched females, and age matched male and female healthy controls were evaluated for coexisting FMS. Each patient completed a questionnaire characterizing sleep quality, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and SF-36 scale, Hamilton Depression rating scales (HDRS) and the CGI-S.

Disease parameters were worse for men as compared to women;

CGI-S: 5.4±1, vs. 4.0±1 (t=6.634, p<0.001), HDRS: 23.9±6 vs. 20.8±6 (t=2.304, p=0.024), respectively. Yet, FMS was more prevalent among depressed females. The SF-36, SDS and sleep quality scores were similar between males and females. A one way analysis of variance with gender and MDD revealed that both gender and disease were found to be significant contributing factors for the number of tender points (F=21.131, p<.0001; F=65.232, p<.0001, respectively). A one way analysis of covariance for tender points with CGI-S and HDRS as covariates revealed that gender was a significant factor regardless of depression severity. CGI-S and Hamilton scores correlated with tender points count in females but not in males.

Female gender is a risk factor for FMS in depressed population. Depression is associated with FMS among women but not among men. Among females, depression severity is significantly correlated to FMS severity. FMS is correlated to sleep quality and to QoL among depressed patients.