Fibromyalgia & Lupus: Understanding the Connection - Symptoms & Differences

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint pain and can attack the body's organs. Fibromyalgia is defined as a syndrome with symptoms such as muscular pain and extreme fatigue. The two have similar symptoms.

Similarities

• Lupus and fibromyalgia have similar symptoms, including fatigue, trouble sleeping and pain throughout the body.

Differences

• Lupus causes joint pain, while fibromyalgia causes muscular pain. Fibromyalgia does not cause organ damage, whereas lupus is capable of damaging the heart, lungs, kidneys and brain.

Considerations

• The National Fibromyalgia Association estimates that 25 percent of lupus patients will develop fibromyalgia; however, fibromyalgia does not cause lupus.

Significance

• According to the Lupus Foundation of America, over 1 million Americans are living with lupus. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases estimate that 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Treatment

• Lupus and fibromyalgia are treated with different drugs and therapies. It's important for patients to be seen by a qualified rheumatologist in order to determine the best treatment options.