Is fibromyalgia genetic? What a 2.5 million-person study does and doesn’t tell us

Is fibromyalgia genetic? Partly, it seems. A large international study published in Nature Medicine in July 2026 reports genetic differences linked to fibromyalgia. This post explains what it found, what it can’t tell us, and why genes are only one part of the picture. It’s an explainer, not medical advice.

First, when to get help

What did the 2026 study look at?

The study, by Isabel Kerrebijn and colleagues, combined data from 11 research cohorts, many of them biobanks [1]. It’s a genome-wide association study: researchers scan DNA across a very large number of people for small differences more common in those with a condition. Here, 54,629 people with a fibromyalgia diagnosis code were compared with about 2.5 million without one. About 90% of those with fibromyalgia were of European ancestry, and 87.7% were women.

What did it find?

The researchers report that:

• 26 places in the genome were linked to fibromyalgia. None has a large effect alone: the biggest raised the odds of a diagnosis by about 9%.
• The genetic signal was concentrated in the brain and nerve cells. All five tissues with a significant link were parts of the brain.
• The genetic pattern was nearly identical in men and women (checked in people of European ancestry, with fewer male cases), even though far more women are diagnosed.

These are associations. They don’t show that any gene causes fibromyalgia.

So, is fibromyalgia genetic? What “genetic” does and doesn’t mean

The authors estimate that common genetic differences across the genome explain only a modest share of the differences in risk between people (about 10%, in people of European ancestry) [1]. In European-ancestry people in the UK Biobank, fibromyalgia was recorded in about 1.0% of the lowest genetic-risk fifth and 2.4% of the highest. So most people with higher genetic risk won’t have fibromyalgia. The genetic risk score from this study predicted fibromyalgia only modestly, so it can’t tell you whether you have it or will get it. Diagnosis is made by a doctor.

Is fibromyalgia a “brain condition”?

The authors conclude the study gives “robust genetic evidence” that fibromyalgia is a central nervous system disorder (the brain and spinal cord) [1]. That is the authors’ interpretation, and they note limits: closely related cell types overlap, so the data can’t pinpoint exactly which nerve cells matter. The paper also found signals in nerve cells outside the brain, including in the gut. It doesn’t mean the pain is imagined. Pain is real.

Fibromyalgia and back pain: what a genetic correlation means

The study found genetic correlations of about 0.7 to 0.8 with low back pain (0.75), post-traumatic stress disorder (0.78) and irritable bowel syndrome (0.70) [1]. It means many of the same genetic influences appear to be involved in both conditions. It does not mean one causes the other, or anything about your own back pain.

What causes fibromyalgia?

The NHS says the exact cause is unknown, but it’s thought to involve changes in how the brain and nervous system process pain messages. It adds that research suggests genetics “may play a small part”, and that fibromyalgia is often triggered by something physical or emotional, such as an injury, infection or stress [2][3].

What we still don’t know

• The people studied were mostly of European ancestry, so the findings may not apply equally to everyone.
• Cases were found through diagnosis codes, so some people may not have met full diagnostic criteria. The authors list this as a limit.
• The NHS says there’s no specific test for fibromyalgia, and diagnosis starts with a GP [4].

Support for people with fibromyalgia

The first five are listed on NHS websites or run by the NHS, and the last two are registered charities. A listing isn’t an NHS endorsement.

• Fibromyalgia Action UK (registered charity 1042582): information and support, including a helpline and an online support group.
• NHS 111, mental health option: call 111 and select the mental health option, or use 111 online.
• Samaritans: free listening service, any time, on 116 123.
• Shout: free text support, any time. Text SHOUT to 85258.
• NHS Talking Therapies, Hampshire and Isle of Wight: free NHS courses and talking therapies. If your GP is in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, you can refer yourself online. If not, the NHS finder will point you to your local service.
• Pain Concern (Scottish charity SC023559): a helpline for people living with pain, on 0300 123 0789 (live Mondays 9am to 1pm, otherwise leave a message). Not a crisis line.
• Basingstoke and District Disability Forum Chronic Pain Support Group (registered charity 1155660): a free monthly group in Basingstoke for people living with, or caring for someone with, chronic pain. Email office@bddf.org.uk for dates.

Where osteopathy fits

This study tested no treatment, so it tells us nothing about osteopathy or any other approach. Separately, osteopathy is one option people with fibromyalgia can consider, alongside advice from their GP. I’m Rob Green, a GOsC-registered osteopath (no. 11480), and osteopathy at our Overton clinic starts with a conversation about your history and how you’re getting on. I can’t promise any result, and osteopathy doesn’t replace medical care.

Frequently asked questions

Is fibromyalgia genetic?

Is fibromyalgia genetic? Partly, it seems. A 2026 study of about 2.5 million people found 26 regions of DNA linked to fibromyalgia. Overall, common genetic differences explained only a modest share of risk, about 10% on the authors’ estimate. Genes are one influence among several. If you think you might have fibromyalgia, speak to your GP.

What did the 2026 fibromyalgia genetics study find?

The 2026 fibromyalgia genetics study compared the DNA of 54,629 people with a fibromyalgia diagnosis code against about 2.5 million without one. It found 26 genetic risk regions, including several genes with roles in the nervous system. These are statistical associations, not a single cause, and the study tested no treatment.

Is fibromyalgia a brain condition?

Is fibromyalgia a brain condition? The authors of a 2026 genetics study conclude it is a central nervous system disorder (the brain and spinal cord), based on genetic signals concentrated in brain tissue and nerve cells. That is their interpretation. It doesn’t mean the pain is imagined, and diagnosis still comes from a GP.

What causes fibromyalgia?

What causes fibromyalgia? The NHS says the exact cause is unknown. It is thought to involve changes in how the brain and nervous system process pain signals, and research suggests genetics may play a small part. Physical or emotional triggers, such as an injury, infection or stress, may also contribute.

Is fibromyalgia genetically linked to back pain?

Is fibromyalgia genetically linked to back pain? A 2026 study found a genetic correlation of about 0.75 between fibromyalgia and low back pain, meaning many of the same genetic influences appear to be involved in both. That is not the same as one causing the other. If you have symptoms, speak to your GP.

If you’d like to talk it through

Diagnosis starts with your GP. If you have a question about this article, or you’d like to talk about whether osteopathy could be an option for you, call me on 01256 578137, or you can book an appointment online.

Where this comes from

All accessed on 3 November 2026.

1. Kerrebijn I, Bjornsdottir G, Arbabi K, et al. The genetic architecture of fibromyalgia across 2.5 million individuals. Nature Medicine 2026;32(8):3060-3070. Open access. PubMed 42521817.
2. NHS. Fibromyalgia.
3. NHS. Fibromyalgia: causes.
4. NHS. Fibromyalgia: diagnosis.