Quality of life, distrust in health care system and adherence to medical recommendations in patients with fibromyalgia: a latent profile analysis

Introduction:  Fibromyalgia is a very heterogeneous disorder. This heterogeneity is one of the reasons why researchers have tried to analyze different patient profiles and their relationship with quality of life. The aim of the present study was to identify: (1) latent profiles based on the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire’s scores, and (2) possible differences between them in quality of life, distrust in healthcare system, and adherence to medical recommendations. Methods : 707 FM patients (aged 18-85 years, 95% women) completed the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Patient Adherence Scale, and the Health Care System Distrust Scale. Data were analyzed using latent profile analysis. Results : Three profiles were identified: (1)  Low fibromyalgia impact  profile (2)  Moderate fibromyalgia impact  profile, and (3)  High fibromyalgia impact  profile. Significant differences between these profiles were found in quality of life, adherence to medical recommendations, and distrust in healthcare system. Poor-sleep quality emerged as a significant high important symptom in the three profiles. Conclusion : The greater the fibromyalgia impact, the lower the quality of life, and the adherence to medical recommendations and the greater the mistrust in the healthcare system. Self-perceived sleep quality in fibromyalgia patients should require special attention from clinicians.