Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Fibromyalgia Among Family Medicine Physicians and Residents in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
- 2College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia.
- 3Department of Anesthesia, College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia.
- 4Department of Anesthesia, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.
- 5Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11472, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is common but frequently underdiagnosed, and family medicine physicians are usually the first clinicians consulted by affected patients. This study assessed the knowledge, beliefs, and clinical practices regarding FM among family medicine physicians and residents in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July and December 2025 using convenience sampling and a questionnaire adapted from a previously published instrument. Knowledge (0-18) and belief (0-6) scores were reported descriptively, compared across groups with t-tests and analysis of variance, and explored with multivariable linear regression. Results: Of 113 participants (29.4% of the calculated target of 384), 60.2% were junior residents. The mean knowledge score was 9.7 ± 3.32 (53.6% of the maximum) and the mean belief score 4.1 ± 1.23 (67.5%). Only 39.8% knew the American College of Rheumatology criteria, 47.8% regarded FM as primarily psychological, and 39.8% felt confident differentiating FM from similar conditions; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most frequently selected drug class (62.8%). Belief scores were higher in academic centres (4.7 ± 1.19 vs. 3.9 ± 1.18; p = 0.002). The regression model was not significant overall (F (13, 99) = 1.476; p = 0.140), and its two nominally significant coefficients did not persist after accounting for collinearity. Conclusions: In this exploratory convenience sample, recognition of FM coexisted with limited command of diagnostic criteria, low diagnostic confidence, and guideline-discordant prescribing. The findings are not nationally representative but identify plausible targets for criteria-based training and continuing medical education.
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BibTeX
@article{khormi2026knowledge,
title = {{Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Fibromyalgia Among Family Medicine Physicians and Residents in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.}},
author = {Abdulrahman Ali M Khormi and Abdullah AlDhuwaihy and Fatma K Al Dammas and Naif Jamal Aynusah and Abdullah Abolkhair and Abdulaziz B Alanazi and Mohammed A Alnoshan and Mohammed Abdullah Almurshid and Abdulrahman AlOsleb and Mohammed A Omair},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/healthcare14193201},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42881643},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Fibromyalgia Among Family Medicine Physicians and Residents in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AU - Abdulrahman Ali M Khormi
AU - Abdullah AlDhuwaihy
AU - Fatma K Al Dammas
AU - Naif Jamal Aynusah
AU - Abdullah Abolkhair
AU - Abdulaziz B Alanazi
AU - Mohammed A Alnoshan
AU - Mohammed Abdullah Almurshid
AU - Abdulrahman AlOsleb
AU - Mohammed A Omair
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/28
JO - Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/healthcare14193201
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42881643
AB - Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is common but frequently underdiagnosed, and family medicine physicians are usually the first clinicians consulted by affected patients. This study assessed the knowledge, beliefs, and clinical practices regarding FM among family medicine physicians and residents in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July and December 2025 using convenience sampling and a questionnaire adapted from a previously published instrument. Knowledge (0-18) and belief (0-6) scores were reported descriptively, compared across groups with t-tests and analysis of variance, and explored with multivariable linear regression. Results: Of 113 participants (29.4% of the calculated target of 384), 60.2% were junior residents. The mean knowledge score was 9.7 ± 3.32 (53.6% of the maximum) and the mean belief score 4.1 ± 1.23 (67.5%). Only 39.8% knew the American College of Rheumatology criteria, 47.8% regarded FM as primarily psychological, and 39.8% felt confident differentiating FM from similar conditions; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most frequently selected drug class (62.8%). Belief scores were higher in academic centres (4.7 ± 1.19 vs. 3.9 ± 1.18; p = 0.002). The regression model was not significant overall (F (13, 99) = 1.476; p = 0.140), and its two nominally significant coefficients did not persist after accounting for collinearity. Conclusions: In this exploratory convenience sample, recognition of FM coexisted with limited command of diagnostic criteria, low diagnostic confidence, and guideline-discordant prescribing. The findings are not nationally representative but identify plausible targets for criteria-based training and continuing medical education.
SN - 2227-9032
ER -