Fibromyalgia and Multiple Psychiatric Diagnosis

Abstract

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that includes somatic and emotional symptoms. The evidence supports a relationship between fibromyalgia and varios forms of psychopathology, especially affective disorders.

Objectives and Aims

The aim of this study is to determinate whether the patients with Fibromyalgia could be diagnosed with several psychiatric disorders.

We were also interested in the perception of their health status and functioning.

Methods

We included 15 outpatients (13 women and 2 men), mean age 49,6 diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (tender points). They completed the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

The Psychiatrist scheduled an interview to determinate if they met criterias for Histrionic Personality Disorder Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10) or Somatization Disorder Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10).

Results

All patients had scores below 50 on the SF-36 Health Survey.

Two-thirds of patients met diagnostic criteria for Somatization Disorder Diagnostic, and the rest of patients would have met diagnostic criteria if age criteria A considered would have been 35 years old. Four patients met diagnostic criteria for Histrionic Personality Disorder and 80% of the patients had scores greater than 20 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Conclusions

Fibromyalgia patients could have more than one psychiatric diagnosis. Most of the patients could met the criteria for somatization disorder. All patients had a low level of funcioning and health perception.