Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com Fibromialgia em um Hospital Universitário da Paraíba

Abstract

Objective: Describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) being followed up at the rheumatology clinic of a tertiary hospital. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, qualitative and quantitative study. Data collection was performed through a clinical form during a face-to-face interview and analysis of medical records. The Spearman Correlation Test was used for numerical variables, and the chi-square test for categorical variables. Values of p <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results and discussion: The sample studied consisted of 84 patients, predominantly female (98.80%), with a mean age at the time of the interview of 47 years, with 92.77% of patients over 40 years of age. The data on education, average family income and professional situation of the interviewed patients were compatible with the Brazilian and regional reality (Northeast). 69.22% of the interviewees reported that the pain started more than 5 years ago, demonstrating the chronicity characteristic of generalized pain in FM. The average of the Generalized Pain Index (GDI) was 11.88, with a mode of 17 and a median of 12.62. The Symptom Severity Scale (EGS) data showed an average of 7.83, with a mode of 9 and a median of 8.32. The main associated comorbidities were Osteoarthritis and Arterial Hypertension. The most reported symptoms were fatigue, anxiety and headache. Regarding the therapies used to treat FM, anticonvulsants that modulate calcium influx were the most prescribed drugs, followed by tricyclic antidepressants. The main non-pharmacological therapies indicated were traditional physical therapy, psychotherapy and acupuncture. Conclusion: The present study showed a predominant sample of women, married, middle-aged adults, with low education, unemployed and average family income between one and three minimum wages. Most respondents report that the pain started more than 5 years ago, demonstrating the chronicity characteristic of generalized pain in FM. The average score on the IDG shows a predominance of patients with severe generalized pain, as well as moderate and severe EGS scores.