The Role of Pain Catastrophizing and Anxiety Levels on Quality of Life in Fibromyalgia Compared with Healthy Women

Abstract

Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) present with chronic and diffuse musculoskeletal pain, a low pain threshold at specific anatomical points, weakness and fatigue, which eventually lead to reduced physical activity and decreased quality of life. Some studies have indicated a link between FM and personality and mental characteristics, but few have examined differences between women with FM and healthy women. The goals of this research were to investigate these differences, as well as the link between the degree of catastrophizing and coping with the disease among sick women. This comparative and correlative study examined 165 women 75 (46%) with FM and 90 (54%) healthy women. All the subjects filled out a socio-demographic questionnaire, the State and Trait Anxiety Questionnaire, and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). In addition, the women diagnosed with FM answered the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). We found that women with FM report high levels of anxiety and low levels of quality of life regarding their disease. It seems that their mental health is linked to their physical status. Interventions to improve mental health in this patient population may also bring enhancement in quality of life.