What causes fibromyalgia? An online survey of patient perspectives

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a severe chronic pain condition that affects every aspect of life. Causes of the condition remain unclear, and quantitative research cannot account for patients’ personal illness narratives and perceptions. This online survey gathered qualitative accounts of the perceived causes of their condition from 596 people with fibromyalgia, which were analyzed thematically. Themes were “Bodily assault, ill-health, and change”; “Emotional trauma and distress”; “Stress and vulnerability”; and “Explaining and authenticating fibromyalgia.” Discussion focuses on the complexity of causation, the importance of understanding and having symptoms validated, and the potential for benefiting from patient expertise in building better practitioner–client relationships.

Comorbid Conditions, Mental Health and Cognitive Functions in Adults with Fibromyalgia

“…The present analyses did not include interpersonal dynamics, and this aspect of the model is the most frequently omitted part (Suls & Rothman, 2004). Nevertheless, there is existing evidence of how biological, psychological, and social factors interact affecting health in chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia (Adams & Turk, 2015; Furness et al, 2018).…”

“…The survey was advertised from January to April 2016 by fibromyalgia charities, networks and support groups. Using data from the online survey we have published a qualitative paper about perceived causes of fibromyalgia (Furness et al, 2018), a quantitative study about the effectiveness of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments (Taylor et al, 2019), and a qualitative paper about attitudes to physiotherapy (Furness et al, 2019). This research received ethical approval from Sheffield Hallam University Research Ethics Committee (FREC/ SW/125-FUR).…”

Fibromyalgia and Psychotrauma: A Clinical Case and Brief Literature Review

“…As in the literature [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12], Ms. M.'s clinical case illustrates the existence of a history of psychological trauma and painful events in people suffering from fibromyalgia. Numerous clinical observations objectify the existence of a serious traumatic history in patients presenting chronic painful symptoms.…”

“…An online survey, led in 2018 by Furness et al [10], gathering qualitative accounts of perceived causes of Fibromyalgia from 596 patients with this pathology, many participants wrote about emotionally traumatic events, such as physical and sexual assaults. The impact of suffering intense or lasting traumatic experiences was exacerbated when patients felt unable to discuss or disclose them.…”

Fibromiyalji Sendromunda Demir Eksikliği ve Demir Eksikliği Anemisi Görülme Sıklığı

“…In FMS, sometimes factors like surgery, infection, physical trauma or significant psychological stress trigger symptoms. In other cases, symptoms develop gradually over time without a single triggering event (6). FMS is present in 2-4% of the population and a costly condition due to delay in diagnosis (1,5,7).…”