Fibromyalgia and long-term health
What Is the Number One Cause of Death in Fibromyalgia Patients?
There is no established single “number one” cause of death unique to people with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia itself is not usually a direct cause of death. Research has found higher relative risks for suicide and possibly infections and accidents, but that is different from proving which cause accounts for the largest number of deaths.
This question can sound frightening, especially to someone who has recently been diagnosed. The reassuring fact is that fibromyalgia is not considered a progressive disease that damages organs in the way some inflammatory or degenerative illnesses can. It does not directly destroy the heart, lungs or kidneys.
That does not mean the condition should be minimized. Chronic pain, poor sleep, fatigue, reduced activity, medication effects, mental-health strain and coexisting illnesses can create health risks that deserve thoughtful prevention and treatment.
What the Mortality Research Actually Found
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published in RMD Open examined eight cohort studies. Six contributed to the pooled all-cause mortality analysis. The combined studies included people diagnosed using different fibromyalgia definitions and many participants had other medical conditions.
The analysis reported a possible 27% higher relative risk of death from all causes overall. Cause-specific analyses suggested a higher relative risk for suicide and infections. The estimate for accidental death was elevated but statistically uncertain. The authors emphasized the need for suicide screening, accident prevention and infection prevention.
| Outcome examined | What the pooled study suggested | What readers should not conclude |
|---|---|---|
| All-cause mortality | A possible modest relative increase overall, with results affected by diagnostic criteria and differences between studies. | It does not mean every person with fibromyalgia has a shortened life. |
| Suicide | The largest relative increase among the specific causes analyzed. | It does not prove suicide is the most frequent absolute cause of death among all fibromyalgia patients. |
| Infections | An elevated relative risk was reported, including deaths involving pneumonia or septicemia in some underlying studies. | It does not prove fibromyalgia directly weakens every patient’s immune system. |
| Accidents | The estimate was elevated, but the confidence interval included no increase, making the result uncertain. | It should not be reported as a settled causal fact. |
| Cancer | The pooled estimate was not higher and was modestly lower in the analysis. | This does not mean fibromyalgia protects against cancer or that screening can be skipped. |
Does Fibromyalgia Shorten Life Expectancy?
Fibromyalgia is not generally considered directly fatal, and many people live a normal lifespan. Research on overall mortality is mixed and complicated by differences in diagnosis, age, coexisting illness and study design. A pooled association does not determine an individual person’s outcome.
Your personal health risks depend on factors such as age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular health, infections, medications, mental health, sleep and access to care—not the fibromyalgia label alone.
For a fuller explanation, read What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With Fibromyalgia?
Why Suicide Risk Requires Special Attention
Persistent pain, exhaustion, isolation, disability, depression, anxiety, financial strain and feeling dismissed can place enormous pressure on a person. None of this means suicide is inevitable. It means emotional distress deserves the same urgency and respect as physical symptoms.
Healthcare professionals should ask about mood, hopelessness, substance use and suicidal thoughts without judgment. Effective help can include appropriate pain care, treatment for depression or anxiety, therapy, improved sleep, social support and a safety plan.
In the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for an immediate life-threatening emergency. Outside the United States, contact your local emergency number or national crisis service.
Do not leave a person alone when there is an immediate risk. Remove access to weapons, large quantities of medication or other lethal means if you can do so safely.
Infections and Fibromyalgia
The pooled review found an association with infection-related mortality, but the reason is uncertain. Possible explanations include coexisting medical conditions, reduced mobility, delayed care, medication effects or differences in the populations studied. The analysis cannot show that fibromyalgia directly caused those infections.
Practical prevention includes staying current with clinician-recommended vaccinations, treating infections promptly, managing chronic conditions and seeking urgent care for warning signs of sepsis.
Call for medical help when an infection is worsening or when symptoms include confusion, difficulty breathing, faintness, severe weakness, very high or low temperature, clammy skin or a racing heart. Sepsis is a medical emergency.
Why Accidents May Be a Concern
Fibromyalgia can involve poor sleep, fatigue, dizziness and cognitive difficulty. Some medications may also cause drowsiness, slowed reaction time or balance problems. Those factors could affect driving, falls or workplace safety, although the mortality evidence for accidents remains uncertain.
- Do not drive until you know how a new medication affects you.
- Ask a pharmacist about combinations that may increase sedation.
- Address poor vision, balance problems and fall hazards.
- Discuss loud snoring, gasping during sleep or severe daytime sleepiness.
- Use mobility support when prescribed rather than risking a fall.
Common Health Risks Still Matter
People with fibromyalgia can develop the same common diseases as everyone else. Routine care should not stop once chronic pain is diagnosed. Continue recommended screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and cancer based on age and personal risk.
New symptoms should not automatically be labeled a flare. Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, fainting, a hot swollen joint, high fever, unexplained weight loss or unusual bleeding requires appropriate medical assessment.
Ways to Protect Long-Term Health
- Maintain primary care: review preventive screenings, vaccines and chronic conditions.
- Treat sleep problems: unrecognized sleep apnea can affect cardiovascular health, mood and daytime safety.
- Review medications: include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, alcohol, cannabis and supplements.
- Address mental health early: do not wait for distress to become a crisis.
- Use appropriate movement: work with a clinician or physical therapist when pain or balance makes activity difficult.
- Stay socially connected: trusted family, friends, support groups and counseling can reduce isolation.
- Seek care for infections: especially when symptoms are severe or worsening.
Related reading: Finding Support for Fibromyalgia, The Daily Struggles of Living With Fibromyalgia and Fibromyalgia Medication Choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one cause of death in fibromyalgia patients?
No reliable evidence establishes one universal leading cause of death unique to fibromyalgia patients. A 2023 review found the largest relative elevation for suicide among the specific causes studied, but this does not prove it causes the greatest absolute number of deaths.
Can fibromyalgia directly kill you?
Fibromyalgia is not generally considered a directly fatal or organ-damaging disease. However, associated mental-health strain, accidents, infections, medication risks and coexisting conditions deserve serious attention.
Does fibromyalgia shorten life expectancy?
Many people with fibromyalgia live a normal lifespan. Research on overall mortality is mixed, and an individual’s outlook depends on many health and social factors beyond fibromyalgia.
Why is suicide discussed in fibromyalgia research?
Studies have reported higher suicidal behavior and suicide mortality in fibromyalgia populations. Chronic pain, poor sleep, depression, disability and social stress may contribute. Screening and timely treatment are important because risk can be reduced.
Does fibromyalgia cause heart disease or cancer?
Fibromyalgia is not established as a direct cause of heart disease or cancer. Patients still need routine prevention and screening based on their age, family history and other risk factors.
Can fibromyalgia increase infection risk?
A pooled study reported higher infection-related mortality, but it could not determine whether fibromyalgia caused the association. Coexisting conditions, medication effects and other factors may contribute.
The Bottom Line
There is no proven single number-one cause of death among all fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia itself is not usually fatal. Research suggests particular attention should be given to suicide prevention, infection care and accident safety, but the findings describe population-level associations—not an individual prediction. Comprehensive medical care, mental-health support and routine prevention remain the most useful response.
Primary research: Treister-Goltzman Y, Peleg R. “Fibromyalgia and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” RMD Open. 2023;9:e003005. The study’s observational evidence cannot prove causation, and the authors noted important differences among included populations.
Last medically reviewed: August 2026.
