Distinctive personality profiles of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Abstract

ObjectiveThe current study is an innovative exploratory investigation, aiming at identifying differences in personality profiles within Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients.MethodIn total, 344 participants (309 female, 35 male) reported suffering from FMS and/or CFS and consented to participate in the study. Participants were recruited at an Israeli FM/CFS patient meeting held in May 2013, and through an announcement posted on several social networks. Participants were asked to complete a research questionnaire, which included FMS criteria and severity scales, and measures of personality, emotional functioning, positivity, social support and subjective assessment of general health. In total, 204 participants completed the research questionnaire (40.7% attrition rate).ResultsA cluster analysis produced two distinct clusters, which differed significantly on psychological variables, but did not differ on demographic variables or illness severity. As compared to cluster number 2 (N = 107), participants classified into cluster number 1 (N = 97) showed a less adaptive pattern, with higher levels of Harm Avoidance and Alexithymia; higher prevalence of Type D personality; and lower levels of Persistence (PS), Reward dependence (RD), Cooperation, Self-directedness (SD), social support and positivity.ConclusionThe significant pattern of results indicates at least two distinct personality profiles of FM and CFS patients. Findings from this research may help improve the evaluation and treatment of FM and CFS patients, based on each patient’s unique needs, psychological resources and weaknesses, as proposed by the current trend of personalized medicine.

Type D Personality is Associated With Disease Severity and Poor Quality of Life in Turkish Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…34 In another study performed in Israel, 30% of FM patients were found to have type D personality. 35 In the present study, 33% of FM patients were found to have Type D personality; this rate was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (12%). In previous studies, the frequency of type D personality construct in Turkey was described as follows: 27.7% in hemodialysis patients 31 and 56.8% in patients with multiple sclerosis.…”

Personality Traits in Fibromyalgia (FM): Does FM Personality Exists? A Systematic Review

“…Regarding Definition and Diagnostic Criteria of Fibromyalgia Twenty studies [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 19 - 26 , 28 , 29 , 33 - 41 ] defined fibromyalgia as a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain and sensitivity to digital palpation and only one study referred to fibromyalgia as a rheumatic disease [ 35 ]. Nineteen of these studies [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 19 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 33 - 41 ] add to this basic definition the presence of fatigue, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment and emotional distress. Furthermore, 5 studies [ 5 , 19 , 29 , 35 , 36 ] highlighted the presence of sensitivity to tender points (11/18) as described by ACR criteria for FM diagnosis in 1990 [ 21 ] while only two studies referred explicitly to the new ACR criteria [ 13 ] for its definition and diagnosis.…”

“…In three studies [ 35 , 36 , 39 ], participants were selected from previously used databases. Ten studies clearly used the ACR criteria to select participants with FM; in one study the participants were described as people who meet the ACR criteria, without other specifications [ 37 ], 7 referring to ACR criteria of 1990 [ 2 , 3 , 6 , 23 , 25 , 29 , 39 ] and only 3 used the 2010 criteria [ 28 , 38 , 30 ].…”

“…Ablin, et al . [ 28 ] showed two different personality profiles in a fibromyalgic sample: The first was characterized by higher well-being, more adaptive coping strategies and lower levels of alexithymia with a similar prevalence of type D personality when compared with the general population; the second qualified with lower levels of well-being, less adaptive coping strategies, higher levels of alexithymia and more prevalence of type D personality.…”

“…Many studies that centered on aspects such as neuroticism and/or extroversion [ 26 , 27 ] highlighted that only some patients have shown significant differences in profiles when compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, various researchers discussed the specific role played by personality traits on fibromyalgia: Some studies investigated personality as a predisposing factor in the onset and maintenance of the disease [ 28 , 29 ] while others as a moderation factor compared to the disease’s adaptation process. For this reason, analyzing scientific literature on this subject seems to be fundamental in order to provide a critical review of the latest studies and their results.…”