Women that present fibromyalgia have higher levels in all scales of catastrophism

Abstract

Fibromyalgia patients value their pain as modern high and they perceive it more as a threat than as a challenge (Ayan, 2011). There is a relative consensus related to catastrophic thoughts that seems to play an important role in the maintenance of chronic pain (Esteve, Ramírez and López, 2001). The objective of the present study was to explore the level of catastrophism in women with and without fibromyalgia. Adult women (n = 39) with an average of 47 years old (TD: 12.14) and more than 12 years schooling, paired with healthy controls (n = 39) with similar characteristics. Patients with fibromyalgia were previously diagnosed according to ACR (American College of Rheumatology). This was a cross-sectional study, comparative and quantitative cut. An ANOVA was used to compare both groups. The level of catastrophism was measured through the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (Sullivan, Bishop and Pivick, 1995). Scale composed of 13 questions and three subscales: rumination, magnification and hopelessness. This instrument has been tested in both clinical and non-clinical populations (Osman et al., 2000; Sullivan et al., 1995). Rumination, magnification and hopelessness were trend significantly higher in the women group with Fibromyalgia. [Rumination: F (1.36) = 6.22; P = 0.00]; [Magnification: F (1.36) = 17.66; P = 0.00]; [Hopelessness: F (1.36) = 6.53; P = 0.00]. These results allowed that the total catastrophism level was higher in the women group with Fibromyalgia and that the statistical significance level was reached [F (1.36) = 9.89; P = 0.00). This type of studies will allow to study the pain as a multidimensional entity comprised of physical, cognitive and affective aspects.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.