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2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 6
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Review Article
Online Published: 21 Jan 2026
 


The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review

Anas Alonezan, Alaa A. Alfayi, Alhanouf M. Alwehaibi, Hadeel H. Altalhi, Futoon H. Alomran.


Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex illness identified by widespread pain. FM can adversely affect their quality of life (QOL). Hence, treating FM is important; dietary intervention is adopted for the management of several diseases, as healthy diets might improve physical fitness, cognitive abilities, and mental health. Gluten ingestion elevates the production of inflammation and pain; therefore, a gluten-free diet (GFD) might reduce the pain. This review aimed to identify the effect of GFD on symptoms and QOL of FM patients by reviewing the previous studies concerned with this subject. The scientific databases were searched using different keywords to obtain all possible related studies. The original articles written in English and providing full data were eligible. A total of eight articles published between 2013 and 2023 were enrolled; five studies focused on female subjects only, and the designs of the studies were various. It was found that GFD might be beneficial for FM patients who complain of other inflammatory conditions and those triggered by gluten by improving their symptoms and QOL. Nonetheless, GFD effectiveness on FM patients cannot be confirmed based on the current evidence.

Key words: Fibromyalgia, quality of life, gluten-free diet, symptoms, management, systematic review


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alonezan A, Alfayi AA, Alwehaibi AM, Altalhi HH, Alomran FH. The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2026; 10(4): 1217-1224. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749

Web Style

Alonezan A, Alfayi AA, Alwehaibi AM, Altalhi HH, Alomran FH. The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=305642 [Access: April 08, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alonezan A, Alfayi AA, Alwehaibi AM, Altalhi HH, Alomran FH. The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. IJMDC. 2026; 10(4): 1217-1224. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alonezan A, Alfayi AA, Alwehaibi AM, Altalhi HH, Alomran FH. The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. IJMDC. (2026), [cited April 08, 2026]; 10(4): 1217-1224. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749


Harvard Style

Alonezan, A., Alfayi, . A. A., Alwehaibi, . A. M., Altalhi, . H. H. & Alomran, . F. H. (2026) The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. IJMDC, 10 (4), 1217-1224. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749


Turabian Style

Alonezan, Anas, Alaa A. Alfayi, Alhanouf M. Alwehaibi, Hadeel H. Altalhi, and Futoon H. Alomran. 2026. The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (4), 1217-1224. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749


Chicago Style

Alonezan, Anas, Alaa A. Alfayi, Alhanouf M. Alwehaibi, Hadeel H. Altalhi, and Futoon H. Alomran. "The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 1217-1224. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alonezan, Anas, Alaa A. Alfayi, Alhanouf M. Alwehaibi, Hadeel H. Altalhi, and Futoon H. Alomran. "The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.4 (2026), 1217-1224. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alonezan, A., Alfayi, . A. A., Alwehaibi, . A. M., Altalhi, . H. H. & Alomran, . F. H. (2026) The impact of gluten-free diet on symptom management and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia: a systematic review. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (4), 1217-1224. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1767608749




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    International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries is a peer-reviewed, open-access international medical journal. Journal Title Internat ... Read more.



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