Investigation of the effects of pain on depression and health related quality of life in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: This study was planned to investigate the relationship between pain parameters and depression and Health- Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome (PFMS). Material and methods: Fifty-nine patients who were diagnosed PFMS according to American College of Rheumatology criteria were included in our study. In patients with PFMS, we evaluated the pain intensity by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold and pressure pain tolerance by algometry, depression predictors by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and HRQoL by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Results: The mean values of BDI (11.67±7.58) showed that the subjects had a mild level of depression. A statistically significant correlation was found between pain parameters and depression and the level of HRQoL in patients with PFMS who was included in this study (p<0.05). Conclusion: Chronic widespread pain can cause important psychological problems and affects the HRQoL negatively. This study emphasized that there was a close relationship between pain intensity, threshold, tolerance, HRQoL and depression. These results are important when planning treatment programs for PFMS.