Cross-sectional evaluation of socioeconomic and clinical factors and the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) relates to the functional capacity, professional situation, psychological disorders, and physical symptoms, and can identify the factors that determine the impact of the syndrome and characteristics of its carriers; the higher the score, the greater the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life of individuals with fibromyalgia, who were categorized according to the FIQ during the coronavirus disease pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an institution of higher education in Taquara, RS, Brazil. METHODS: A quantitative study was carried out, with the application of a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, and the FIQ in 163 Brazilian individuals with a medical diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Data were collected using SurveyMonkey software. RESULTS: Of the female carriers, 98.2% were living in urban areas, working, and under pharmacological and complementary treatment. The FIQ results showed that seven of the 10 items had the maximum score. The items "physical function" and "feel good" had intermediate scores, and the item "missed work" had a low score. The average total score was 79.9 points, indicating that fibromyalgia had a severe impact on the participants' lives. A severe impact of fibromyalgia was observed in 61.3% of the participants, a moderate impact in 30.7%, and a low impact in 8%. CONCLUSION: The survey findings suggest a severe impact in the majority of the Brazilian fibromyalgic population.

Modulating factors of fibromyalgia in women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A protocol for systematic review

“…Fibromyalgia is a complex systemic disorder which is mainly characterized by generalized musculoskeletal pain, and a number of manifestations such as poor sleep quality, increased sensitivity to pain, or fatigue, seriously affecting quality of life. [ 1 , 2 ] Anxiety and depression are also commonly present in people suffering from this disease, but also in other chronic pain diseases. Thus, these mental health issues are not considered the cause of fibromyalgia, but they are related to the increase in symptoms and the discomfort.…”

“…[ 14 ] Such factors were similar to those experienced throughout the year 2020 with the fight against the global pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially regarding to the confinement stage, when an increase in anxious and depressive episodes, adjustment disorders, and post-traumatic stress [ 15 ] occurred as a consequence of reduced social contact and leisure activities, financial concerns, and apprehensions about the health of friends and family members. [ 1 ] Therefore, it has been proven that changes in the autonomic nervous system, along with the psychological burden effects after COVID-19, may have triggered the emergence of symptoms related to fibromyalgia in the latest years. [ 10 , 16 ] In addition, women are more affected by the pay gap and by discrimination and could have, therefore, been more affected by the COVID-19 state of alarm, [ 17 ] as well as by the higher prevalence of certain emotional symptoms such as stress, depression, and anxiety in this period.…”