Investigation of stress, anxiety and depression in women with fibromyalgia: a comparative study

Author(s)

Ramiro, Fernanda de Souza ^[1] ; Lombardi Junior, Imperio ^[2] ; Barbosa da Silva, Regina Claudia ^[3] ; Montesano, Fabio Tadeu ^[1] ; Cruz de Oliveira, Nara Rejane ^[2] ; Amorim Santos Diniz, Ricardo Edesio ^[4] ; Alambert, Paulo Augusto ^[4] ; Padovani, Ricardo da Costa ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Human Movement Sci, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biosci, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Metropolitana Santos UNIMES, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Hlth Educ & Soc, Santos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE REUMATOLOGIA; v. 54, n. 1, p. 27-32, JAN-FEB 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Introduction: Depression has emerged as the most prevalent mental disorder in patients with fibromyalgia. Stress, whose stages are alarm, resistance, near-exhaustion and exhaustion, constitutes a physical reaction to a threatening situation. Objective: To investigate the levels of stress, anxiety and depression in women with fibromyalgia, comparing them with those of healthy women. Patients and methods: Participants were 50 women, 25 with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, and 25 without this diagnosis, matched for age. Instruments used: Lipp Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (LISS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The mean age was 49.36 years for the group with fibromyalgia (FM) and 49.20 years for the group without fibromyalgia (non-FM). FM showed a higher incidence of stress (96%) compared with non-FM (5%). The resistance phase was predominant in both groups, FM (42%) and non-FM (100%). In FM there was distribution of the four stages (alarm, resistance, near-exhaustion and exhaustion). The differences between phases in the analyzed groups were significant (p < 0.001). FM showed predominance of psychological symptoms (54%); non-FM did show the same frequency of psychological and physical/psychological (40%) symptoms. Symptoms of state and trait anxiety and of depression in FM were significantly higher, when compared with non-FM (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Stress index (96%), trait anxiety (over 50) and clinically relevant depression (greater than 20) in FM were relevant. The understanding of the emotional variables involved in fibromyalgia is important to define the therapeutic strategy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/02159-1 - Cognitive-behavioral assessment in fibromyalgia patients: a comparative study
• Grantee: Fernanda de Souza Ramiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation