New Onset of Fibromyalgia After Exposure to a Combat Environment: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
This study provides the largest prospective data to date to support exposure to the stress of deployment to a warzone as a significant factor related to the onset of fibromyalgia. The bidirectional comorbidity between fibromyalgia and PTSD suggests a potential link in the central nervous system and has implications for management.
Authors
- Douglas Maurer
- Alan Bartholomew
- Stacey Young‐McCaughan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3327-5233)
- Brett T. Litz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0479-8887)
- Kevin M. Kelly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9177-1454)
- Casey L. Straud (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8875-1906)
- Chelsea J. Sterne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3653-0735)
- Willie J. Hale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7172-9566)
- Catherine A. Vriend (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7250-7765)
- Jay B. Higgs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7692-0124)
- Katrina M. Lawrence‐Wolff
- Kimberly D Gomes
- Douglas E. Williamson
- Alan L. Peterson
- Jim Mintz
Institutions
- Boston University (US)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center (US)
- Duke University (US)
- Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (US)
- VA Boston Healthcare System (US)
- Durham VA Health Care System (US)
- South Texas Veterans Health Care System (US)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio (US)
- Cumberland University (US)
- Joint Base San Antonio (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Arthritis Care & Research
- Published
- 2026-01-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.80008
- Primary Topic
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Defense
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- Medical Research and Materiel Command