Date sent:      	Wed, 20 Jun 2001

Fibromyalgia versus Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparison of Psychological
Disturbance and Life Satisfaction

Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, Vol. 9(1) 2001, pp. 35-45

Reyhan Çeliker and Pinar Borman

Reyhan Çeliker, MD, is Associate Professor in Hacettepe
University, Medical School, Department of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
Pinar Borman, MD, is Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Ankara Numune Hospital, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
Address correspondence to: Reyhan Çeliker, MD, Hacettepe University,
Medical School, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
06100, Ankara, Turkey [E-mail: mailto:celiker@tr-net.net.tr ].

Submitted: July 13, 1999.
Revision Accepted: May 22, 2000.


ABSTRACT.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the intensity of
anxiety, depression, and hopelessness in fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and
rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients and to determine the differences of
life satisfaction in these patient groups.

Methods: Twenty patients with RA, 20 patients with FMS, and 20 healthy
control subjects were included in this study. All the subjects were
female. The Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], Spielberger State and Trait
Anxiety Inventory [STAI], and Beck Hopelessness Scale [BHS] were used to
evaluate psychological disturbance, and the life satisfaction index [LSI]
was used to measure psychological well-being.

Results: The mean BDI scores were higher in both the FMS and RA groups,
trait anxiety scores in FMS and state anxiety scores in RA were
significantly higher compared with the control group. The mean BHS score
was higher in the RA group. The LSI results were similar in FMS and RA
but significantly lower than the control group. The BDI was found to be
correlated with functional status which was measured by health assessment
questionnaire in the RA group. There was a negative correlation between
LSI and STAI in both the FMS and RA groups but LSI was correlated with
BDI only in the RA group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, life satisfaction was similar in RA and FMS
patients although RA patients were more disabled because of the arthritic
disease. Both depression and anxiety were predictors of low life
satisfaction in RA, but in FMS only anxiety had a negative role on life
satisfaction.


KEYWORDS. Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, anxiety, life
satisfaction


INTRODUCTION

Fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] is a common rheumatologic condition involving
widespread musculoskeletal pain and multiple tender points. The etiology
of this disorder is not definitely known but psychological disturbances
have been noted frequently and also considered as etiological or
modifying factors (1,2). Pain is the cardinal symptom in most of the
rheumatic diseases including FMS and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] (3,4).
Several studies have been done to examine the psychological disturbance
in RA and FMS patients. Use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality
Inventory [MMPI] assessment has shown psychological abnormalities in a
subgroup of FMS patients compared with normal controls and with RA
patients (3,4). Quality of life and life satisfaction are very important
parameters especially in chronically ill patients. Although there are
some studies on quality of life in FMS and RA, there are not any
published articles about life satisfaction of the patients with these
disorders and satisfaction with life must be evaluated independent of
quality of life.

The aim of this study was to compare the intensity of anxiety,
depression, and hopelessness in FMS and RA patients and to determine the
differences of life satisfaction in these patient groups.


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