Objective: To examine the role of several interrelated, potentially modifiable psychological factors (i.e., mindfulness and catastrophizing) in influencing patient-reported functioning. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 107 patients with fibromyalgia completed self-report assessments of pain severity, functioning and impact of symptoms, mindfulness, and pain catastrophizing. Linear regression and bootstrapping mediation analyses were performed to assess the relationships between these factors. Results: Pain intensity was significantly and positively associated with pain catastrophizing and impact of fibromyalgia on functioning. Linear regression analyses indicated that pain intensity, catastrophizing, and mindfulness affect functioning in fibromyalgia. Follow-up mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of pain catastrophizing on the relationship between pain intensity and fibromyalgia functioning. Conclusion: Individuals with fibromyalgia who have higher levels of pain and catastrophizing, and lower levels of mindfulness, are more likely to experience impaired functioning. Our findings suggest that pain catastrophizing appears to be an especially important variable contributing to reduced functioning in women with fibromyalgia. Therefore, catastrophizing-reducing treatments (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) are likely to have direct, beneficial impacts on functioning.

Daily physical exercise is associated with more self-reported pain intensity in women with fibromyalgia pain, particularly among those with higher levels of pain catastrophizing.

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Mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid)-based products are a widely used treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in children and adults. Associated myopericarditis is an uncommon but recorded phenomenon related to drug hypersensitivity. Unless recognised, this important complication may culminate in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure. We report the case of a boy with Crohn’s disease who developed myopericarditis 14 days after starting treatment with mesalazine. Discontinuation of the drug rapidly led to normalisation of left ventricular structure and function, and a parallel improvement in the levels of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and other markers of myocardial damage. Clinicians should be aware of this potentially life-threatening adverse effect of mesalazine therapy, which is quickly and fully reversible on cessation of the agent.