Kinesiophobia, adherence to treatment, pain and quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia syndrome is characterized by diffuse and chronic musculoskeletal pain, which is difficult to handle and negatively affects patients' quality of life. This study aimed at measuring fear of movement, adherence to treatment and at evaluating health-related quality of life of fibromyalgia syndrome patients. METHODS: This is a prospective study in convenience sample made up of individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome and treated in a Pain Outpatient Clinic. Tools used were: identification protocol, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, generic quality of life questionnaire World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument, visual analog scale, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and treatment adherence measurement. Participated in the study 65 individuals being 35 with fibromyalgia syndrome called test group and 30 without diagnostic of musculoskeletal and neurological systems diseases called control group. RESULTS: The test group had predominance of females, mean age of 42.5±4.3 years, 53% were married and mean education was 9±2.5 years. Mean pain duration was 3.5±1.2 years and mean of two years for fibromyalgia syndrome diagnostic. There has been poorer quality of life, more severe pain and acknowledgment of the importance of physical activities, in spite of referring fear. In addition, adherence to pharmacological treatment was lower than that observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: Fibromyalgia patients had more severe pain, more fear of movement and poorer quality of life in physical an social domains. Adherence to treatment level was medium and there has been decreased functional capacity.