Evaluation of pain and quality of life of fibromyalgia patients

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

It is known that fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by chronic and widespread pain. Considering that pain has direct implications on affected patients' lives, this study aimed at evaluating pain and quality of life of fibromyalgia patients to better understand the correlation between such variables.

METHODS:

Cross-sectional study with 45 females aged between 30 and 55 years, in stable treatment in the month previous to selection, being excluded those under physiotherapeutic treatment, using walking aids and/or with autoimmune rheumatologic diseases or relevant uncontrolled comorbidities. Patients were evaluated with interview records, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Widespread Pain Index and visual analog scale. Data were analyzed by Pearson Correlation and Student t tests, with statistical significance above 95%.

RESULTS:

There have been high scores in Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Widespread Pain Index and visual analog scale, in addition to linear correlation between pain scores and quality of life.

CONCLUSION:

Pain is associated to impaired quality of life of fibromyalgia patients.

Keywords:
Evaluation; Fibromyalgia; Pain; Quality of life