Correlation between Disease Severity and Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a rheumatological condition associated with more healthcare costs, higher prevalence of comorbidities, more workdays missed, poor productivity, early retirement, impaired function, and a poorer quality of life.

Objectives: To determine the correlation between disease severity and health-related quality of life among fibromyalgia syndrome patients.

Design: This was a prospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: The study enrolled patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome at the Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, Kenya. Those enrolled in the study were administered a Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life and a 36 – Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire to assess the quality of life. Spearman Ranks correlation was used to establish the correlation between the disease severity and health-related quality of life.

Results: There were 59 participants recruited to the study who met the eligibility criteria. Of the 59 participants, 54 (91.5%) were female. The median age of the participants was 41.0 years (Inter Quartile Range: 34.0, 50.0). The majority had mild disease severity (39%), followed by moderate disease (25.4%), severe disease (23.7%), and extreme disease (11.9%). The median Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score was 50 (moderate disease severity). There was a negative significant correlation between the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire domains, the overall Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score with all the 36 Item Short Form Survey subscales (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study demonstrated a negative correlation between disease severity and quality of life in both the physical and mental components. This implies in managing patients with fibromyalgia syndrome, both physical and psychosocial and approaches should be adopted.