Information, research and awareness about fibromyalgia and its impacts on quality of life.
This project investigates the possible relationship between the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and the presence or worsening of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome mainly characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties, and it can significantly affect quality of life.
The research combines literature review with semi-structured interviews conducted with two rheumatologists, analyzing hormonal, emotional and clinical factors related to the syndrome.
So far, the available evidence does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between anabolic steroid use and fibromyalgia. Therefore, the study seeks to map current knowledge and contribute to future research on this possible association.
To understand how hormonal, physical and emotional factors may be related to the manifestation and intensity of fibromyalgia symptoms.
The study seeks to understand what science already knows about the possible relationship between anabolic steroids, hormonal factors and symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
To investigate the possible association between anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use and the presence or worsening of fibromyalgia-related symptoms, without establishing a definitive causal relationship.
Analyze the scientific literature on fibromyalgia, anabolic steroids, hormonal changes, mental health and mechanisms related to pain perception.
Relate the findings of the literature review to interviews with two rheumatologists, identifying convergences, limitations and questions that remain unresolved.
Transform the research results into an educational digital platform that brings together accessible scientific information on fibromyalgia, diagnosis, symptoms and management strategies.
The research follows a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive approach, combining a literature review with semi-structured interviews conducted with rheumatologists.
Survey of scientific studies on fibromyalgia, pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, emotional factors, hormonal changes and therapeutic approaches.
Analysis of the literature on the possible link between anabolic androgenic steroid use, hormonal changes, pain perception and fibromyalgia-related symptoms.
Semi-structured interviews with two rheumatologists to gather clinical-practice-based information on risk factors, aggravating factors, diagnosis and management.
Comparison between the professionals' reports and findings from the scientific literature, identifying convergences, divergences and limitations of the available evidence.
Consideration of conditions with similar symptoms, such as hepatitis C, which is important when ruling out other causes of pain, fatigue and musculoskeletal changes.
Development of FibroCiência, a digital science communication platform with accessible, evidence-based information. The website also includes Fibi, a chatbot integrated into the platform and developed to answer questions about fibromyalgia and facilitate access to the scientific information gathered during the research.
The project is still under development. So far, the literature review and interviews with specialists have helped identify trends, hypotheses and issues that still require further investigation.
The data analyzed so far indicate that emotional and hormonal factors may influence pain perception and intensity in people with fibromyalgia.
Factors such as anxiety, depression, stress and endocrine changes appear to be relevant elements in the clinical assessment of the syndrome.
The literature analyzed so far does not provide sufficient evidence to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship between anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use and the development or worsening of fibromyalgia.
This possible association remains a hypothesis that requires more specific investigation.
The next stage of the project involves deeper data analysis, comparison between scientific literature and clinical practice, and the search for new evidence related to the topic.
At the same time, FibroCiência and Fibi continue to be developed as tools for science communication and support for understanding fibromyalgia.
The charts below present data from published epidemiological studies. These values do not represent results obtained directly from participants in this project.
In a Brazilian population-based study, 13 of 723 participants reported a fibromyalgia diagnosis, corresponding to approximately 2% of the sample.
In the U.S. survey used as a reference, estimated prevalence was higher among women.
In this survey, the highest estimated prevalence was observed in the ages 50 to 59.
Important: values may vary according to the population studied, diagnostic criteria and methodology used. The data presented here provide epidemiological context and do not correspond to the project's own sample.
The studies used as references help contextualize how fibromyalgia appears in different population groups.
The Brazilian population-based study presented found approximately 2% prevalence in the analyzed sample.
In the U.S. survey used, estimated prevalence was higher among women than among men.
Among the age groups shown, the highest value occurred among people aged ages 50 to 59.
The research continues with new stages of analysis, data organization and science communication.
Organization of the main stages planned for the scientific and technological development of the FibroCiência project.
| Stage | Period | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Literature review Survey and analysis of the scientific literature. | August — September | Checking... |
| Development of the FibroCiência website Creation of the digital platform, page organization and integration of the Fibi chatbot. | September — October | Checking... |
| Data collection Interviews and organization of the information obtained. | October — November | Checking... |
| Data analysis Comparison between scientific literature and collected data. | December — January | Checking... |
| Report production Systematization of the results and preparation of the report. | February | Checking... |
| Project presentation and dissemination Participation in presentations, scientific events and project dissemination activities throughout its development. | August 2026 — 2028 | Checking... |
The project participants are students at CEMEP. The team consists of three first-year high school students involved in the research.
1st year · CEMEP
1st year · CEMEP
1st year · CEMEP
Main scientific sources used to support the research on fibromyalgia, anabolic steroids, hormonal factors and differential diagnosis.
GARCIA, João Batista Santos et al. Clinical evaluation and prevalence of fibromyalgia in hepatitis C patients. BrJP, v. 2, n. 4, p. 308–315, 2019.
View publication ↗PETROVIC, Ana et al. Anabolic androgenic steroid-induced liver injury: An update. World Journal of Gastroenterology, v. 28, n. 26, p. 3071–3080, 2022.
View publication ↗OLIVEIRA, Luana Lima de; CAVALCANTE NETO, Jorge Lopes. Fatores sociodemográficos, perfil dos usuários e motivação para o uso de esteroides anabolizantes entre jovens adultos. Revista Brasileira de Ciências do Esporte, v. 40, n. 3, p. 309–317, 2018.
View publication ↗FibroCiência was developed to bring together clear and accessible scientific information about fibromyalgia, while also presenting the development and preliminary results of our research.
The platform also includes Fibi, our chatbot developed to help users find information about fibromyalgia.
