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Serpas DG, Morton T, Zettel-Watson L, Cherry BJ. The role of pain intensity and depressive symptoms in the relationship between sleep quality and postural control among middle-aged and older adults with Fibromyalgia. Psychol Health 2024; 39:749-764. [PMID: 36134694 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2107644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition often accompanied by sleep problems and depression that are each associated with reduced physical ability including postural control. Research supports a sequential association between pain intensity and depression in FM, and poor sleep quality may play a key role in this relationship. This study aimed to verify a serial pattern of associations among sleep quality, pain intensity, and depressive symptoms and quantify these effects on objective postural control. DESIGN Community-residing adults diagnosed with FM (n = 155; Mage = 61.08, SD = 7.70; 93% female; 79% White) were included in this cross-sectional study. MAIN OUTCOMES Participants self-rated sleep quality (restorative sleep, sleep waking, and sleep latency), pain intensity, and depressive symptoms, and the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale and 8-Foot Up and Go Test (8FUPGT) measured objective postural control. RESULTS Findings indicated that the serial association between pain intensity and depressive symptoms fully mediated the relationship between sleep quality and both FAB (95% CI [-.125, -.013]), and 8FUPGT (95% CI [.002, .033]) performance. CONCLUSION Findings highlight the serial association of pain intensity and depressive symptoms with objective postural control performance and the potential for sleep and depression interventions that may maximize functional outcomes in FM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G Serpas
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Timothy Morton
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Laura Zettel-Watson
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
- Aging Studies Academic Program, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Barbara J Cherry
- Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
- Aging Studies Academic Program, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
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2
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Balducci T, Garza-Villarreal EA, Valencia A, Aleman A, van Tol MJ. Abnormal functional neurocircuitry underpinning emotional processing in fibromyalgia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:151-164. [PMID: 36961564 PMCID: PMC10786973 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by chronic pain, is frequently accompanied by emotional disturbances. Here we aimed to study brain activation and functional connectivity (FC) during processing of emotional stimuli in fibromyalgia. Thirty female patients with fibromyalgia and 31 female healthy controls (HC) were included. Psychometric tests were administered to measure alexithymia, affective state, and severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Next, participants performed an emotion processing and regulation task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We performed a 2 × 2 ANCOVA to analyze main effects and interactions of the stimuli valence (positive or negative) and group (fibromyalgia or HC) on brain activation. Generalized psychophysiological interaction analysis was used to assess task-dependent FC of brain regions previously associated with emotion processing and fibromyalgia (i.e., hippocampus, amygdala, anterior insula, and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex [pACC]). The left superior lateral occipital cortex showed more activation in fibromyalgia during emotion processing than in HC, irrespective of valence. Moreover, we found an interaction effect (valence x group) in the FC between the left pACC and the precentral and postcentral cortex, and central operculum, and premotor cortex. These results suggest abnormal brain activation and connectivity underlying emotion processing in fibromyalgia, which could help explain the high prevalence of psychopathological symptoms in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thania Balducci
- Postgraduate Studies Division of the School of Medicine, Medical, Dental and Health Sciences Program, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico city, Mexico
| | - Eduardo A Garza-Villarreal
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, C.P. 76230, Querétaro, QRO, Mexico.
| | - Alely Valencia
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, MOR, Mexico
| | - André Aleman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Cognitive Neuroscience Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Marie-José van Tol
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Cognitive Neuroscience Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė L, Leonas L, Sapranavičiūtė-Zabazlajeva L. The Effect of Alexithymia, Attention, and Pain Characteristics on Mentalizing Abilities Among Adults With Chronic Pain. Psychol Rep 2024:332941241226895. [PMID: 38214236 DOI: 10.1177/00332941241226895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Introduction: Impaired mentalizing abilities are found among persons with chronic pain, yet it is still unknown why. The current study focuses on mentalizing abilities and how these could be affected by different pain factors, alexithymia traits, and other aspects of psychological functioning (depression, anxiety, attention) in persons experiencing chronic pain.Methods: 71 participants (80.3% female; mean age 56.1 (SD = 13.1)) with subjectively reported chronic pain conditions participated in the study. Mentalizing abilities were assessed using an objective assessment of the Frith-Happé animations test. Alexithymia was measured using Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Subjectively reported data on various pain characteristics and other related psychological factors (depression, anxiety, attention) were collected. Bivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify variables that had statistically significant relationships with Frith-Happé test scores as dependent variables, which were then used to build multivariate models.Results: Mentalization task scores had no significant associations with alexithymia. However, in bivariate models, greater Frith-Happé animations categorisation score was associated with higher attention task scores (βs = .332, p = .005), higher education (βs = .317, p = .007), and lower level of depressiveness (βs = -.234, p = .049). Greater animations feelings scores were associated with less severe pain intensity (βs = -.322, p = .006), younger age (βs = -.399, p = .001), and better attention (βs = .383, p = .001). In multivariate analysis models predicting both animations categorisation and feelings scores, attention was found to be the only statistically significant factor (respectively, βs = .257, p = .029 and βs = .264, p = .035).Conclusions: No significant correlations were found between mentalizing abilities and alexithymic features in persons with chronic pain. Disruptions of attention was the most significant factor leading to lower mentalizing abilities in persons with chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Šalčiūnaitė-Nikonovė
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Linas Leonas
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Laura Sapranavičiūtė-Zabazlajeva
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
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4
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Bacon AM, White L, Norman A. Coping with fibromyalgia during the COVID-19 pandemic: adjustment and wellbeing. Psychol Health 2023; 38:1345-1360. [PMID: 34903135 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2021.2013484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition with symptoms known to be exacerbated by stress. Individuals with FMS may be experiencing particular distress under Covid-19 pandemic-related lifestyle restrictions. The present study examined wellbeing, perceived symptom change and coping in individuals with and without FMS during pandemic-related social lockdown in the UK. DESIGN Participants with a diagnosis of FMS (N = 390) and a general public sample with no FMS (N = 151) completed questionnaires at three time points. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES BBC Wellbeing Scale, Cognitive-Emotional Regulation Questionnaire measure of coping, perception of extent to which symptoms have worsened or improved over time. RESULTS Contrary to expectations, FMS participants reported no worsening of symptoms and an increase in wellbeing over the study period. Non-FMS participants experienced worsening health symptoms and no change in wellbeing. Coping strategies involving positive reappraisal, refocussing and planning were positively associated with wellbeing in the FMS group. CONCLUSION The unpredictable symptom profile in FMS, and the regular readjustment this necessitates, may support a form of resilience which has been adaptive during the pandemic. The results have implications for supporting people with FMS, and potentially other chronic conditions, especially at times of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Bacon
- School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK
| | - Leah White
- School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK
| | - Alyson Norman
- School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon, UK
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5
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Pinto AM, Luís M, Geenen R, Palavra F, Lumley MA, Ablin JN, Amris K, Branco J, Buskila D, Castelhano J, Castelo-Branco M, Crofford LJ, Fitzcharles MA, Häuser W, Kosek E, López-Solà M, Mease P, Marques TR, Jacobs JWG, Castilho P, da Silva JAP. Neurophysiological and Psychosocial Mechanisms of Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Review and Call for An Integrative Model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023:105235. [PMID: 37207842 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Research into the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms involved in fibromyalgia has progressed remarkably in recent years. Despite this, current accounts of fibromyalgia fail to capture the complex, dynamic, and mutual crosstalk between neurophysiological and psychosocial domains. We conducted a comprehensive review of the existing literature in order to: a) synthesize current knowledge on fibromyalgia; b) explore and highlight multi-level links and pathways between different systems; and c) build bridges connecting disparate perspectives. An extensive panel of international experts in neurophysiological and psychosocial aspects of fibromyalgia discussed the collected evidence and progressively refined and conceptualized its interpretation. This work constitutes an essential step towards the development of a model capable of integrating the main factors implicated in fibromyalgia into a single, unified construct which appears indispensable to foster the understanding, assessment, and intervention for fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Pinto
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Rua do Colégio Novo, s/n, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga - FMUC, Pólo I - Edifício Central, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Psychological Medicine Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga - FMUC, Pólo I - Edifício Central, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Luís
- Rheumatology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Rinie Geenen
- Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Martinus J. Langeveldgebouw, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands; Altrecht Psychosomatic Medicine Eikenboom, Vrijbaan 2, 3705 WC Zeist, the Netherlands.
| | - Filipe Palavra
- Centre for Child Development, Neuropediatric Unit. Pediatric Hospital, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Avenida Afonso Romão, 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (i.CBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Ave., Suite 7908, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
| | - Jacob N Ablin
- Internal Medicine H, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel; Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Kirstine Amris
- The Parker Institute, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Nordre Fasanvej 57, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - Jaime Branco
- Rheumatology Department, Egas Moniz Hospital - Lisboa Ocidental Hospital Centre (CHLO-EPE), R. da Junqueira 126, 1349-019 Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Chronic Diseases Research Centre (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NOVA University Lisbon (NMS/UNL), Campo Mártires da Pátria 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Dan Buskila
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheba, Israel.
| | - João Castelhano
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal, Portugal.
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), ICNAS, Edifício do ICNAS, Polo 3, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal, Portugal.
| | - Leslie J Crofford
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Mary-Ann Fitzcharles
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1A4.
| | - Winfried Häuser
- Department Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
| | - Eva Kosek
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden; Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Marina López-Solà
- Serra Hunter Programme, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona.
| | - Philip Mease
- Swedish Medical Center/Providence St. Joseph Health, Seattle, WA, USA; University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Tiago Reis Marques
- Psychiatric Imaging Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2BU, UK; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
| | - Johannes W G Jacobs
- Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Paula Castilho
- University of Coimbra, Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Rua do Colégio Novo, s/n, 3000-115 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - José A P da Silva
- University of Coimbra, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Rua Larga - FMUC, Pólo I - Edifício Central, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Rheumatology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (i.CBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
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Habibi Asgarabad M, Salehi Yegaei P, Jafari F, Azami-Aghdash S, Lumley MA. The relationship of alexithymia to pain and other symptoms in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:321-337. [PMID: 36471652 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE People with fibromyalgia (FM) often report having difficulty with emotional identification and expression, and this "alexithymia" may contribute to their pain and other symptoms. Multiple studies have assessed alexithymia in FM, and we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed this literature to: (a) describe the prevalence of alexithymia in people with FM; (b) compare the level of alexithymia in FM to both healthy controls and controls with other pain conditions; and (c) determine the association of alexithymia to pain intensity, depression, and anxiety in people with FM. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched multiple databases (Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Google Scholar) from inception to May 31, 2022. Study quality was assessed with The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools for cross-sectional studies, and STATA:17 was used for meta-analysis. A total of 32 studies met eligibility criteria and were included in meta-analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of alexithymia in FM averaged 48%. People with FM had substantially higher alexithymia than healthy controls (SMD = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.22), as well people with other pain-related conditions (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.65), particularly rheumatoid arthritis (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.08-0.91). Alexithymia was positively associated with pain intensity (r = 0.24), anxiety (r = 0.50), and depression (r = 0.41) among people with FM. CONCLUSIONS Due to the high level of alexithymia in people with FM and the positive relationship of alexithymia with pain and psychological distress, interventions to improve emotional awareness, expression, and processing in FM are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Habibi Asgarabad
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Health Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Psychiatric Institute), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pardis Salehi Yegaei
- Health Promotion Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Jafari
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen Branch, Roudehen, Iran
| | - Saber Azami-Aghdash
- Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Michigan, Detroit, USA
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Pasini I, Perlini C, Donisi V, Mason A, Schweiger V, Secchettin E, Lugoboni F, Valenza G, Del Piccolo L. "INTEGRO INTEGRated Psychotherapeutic InterventiOn" on the Management of Chronic Pain in Patients with Fibromyalgia: The Role of the Therapeutic Relationship. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3973. [PMID: 36900982 PMCID: PMC10002139 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disease characterized by a heterogeneous set of physical and psychological conditions. The chronic experience of disability felt by patients and the impact on quality of life (QoL) of the disease may worsen the cognitive reappraisal ability and contribute to maintaining an altered pain modulation mechanism. This paper presents the study protocol of an INTEGRated psychotherapeutic interventiOn on the management of chronic pain in patients with fibromyalgia (INTEGRO). The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of an integrated psychotherapeutic intervention focused on pain management on QoL and pain perception, in a pilot sample of 45 FM patients with idiopathic chronic pain. The contribution of perceived therapeutic relationship (alliance) and physiological attunement, in both the patient and therapist, will be considered as possible mediators of intervention efficacy. Attachment dimensions, traumatic experiences, difficulties in emotion regulation, mindfulness attitude and psychophysiological profile will also be considered as covariates. The objectives are to evaluate longitudinally if patients will experience an increase in QoL perception (primary endpoint), pain-managing self-efficacy and emotion-regulation abilities as well as a reduction in pain intensity (secondary endpoints), considering the mediating role of perceived therapeutic alliance and physiological attunement in both the patient and therapist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Pasini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Cinzia Perlini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Valeria Donisi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Mason
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Vittorio Schweiger
- Pain Therapy Centre, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Maternal and Infant Sciences, Verona University Hospital, Policlinico GB Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Erica Secchettin
- Pain Therapy Centre, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Maternal and Infant Sciences, Verona University Hospital, Policlinico GB Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Fabio Lugoboni
- Unit of Addiction Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Integrated University Hospital of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Gaetano Valenza
- Bioengineering and Robotics Research Center “E. Piaggio”, Department of Information Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lidia Del Piccolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
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Sauch Valmaña G, Miró Catalina Q, Carrasco-Querol N, Vidal-Alaball J. Gender, Mental Health and Socioeconomic Differences in Fibromyalgia: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Real-World Data from Catalonia. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11040530. [PMID: 36833067 PMCID: PMC9957461 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11040530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The main objective of our study was to assess the associated risk between fibromyalgia (FM) and the incidence of the diagnosis of anxiety and depression in the general population during the years 2010-2017 in Catalonia. METHOD A retrospective cohort study was designed using the Information System for Research Development in Primary Care database. All patients with FM were included (n = 56,098) and matched to the control group in a 1:2 pairing ratio (n = 112,196). The demographic variables studied were sex, age and socio-economic status. RESULTS Patients with FM have a lower survival rate if they are also diagnosed with anxiety and depression during the entire study period, with the rate being 26.6% lower in FM patients at an 8-year follow-up (0.58, 95%CI: 0.57-0.59 vs. 0.79, 95%CI: 0.78-0.79). There is a 58% reduction in the risk of developing anxiety and/or depression in the control group vs. the FM group (p-value < 0.05), and by 45% in male vs. female sex (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS FM is a disease that is associated with anxiety and depression, and men are at lower risk of anxiety and depression after FM diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glòria Sauch Valmaña
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08272 Barcelona, Spain
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Queralt Miró Catalina
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08272 Barcelona, Spain
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noèlia Carrasco-Querol
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Terres de l’Ebre, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08272 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Vidal-Alaball
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08272 Barcelona, Spain
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Terres de l’Ebre, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08272 Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, 08500 Vic, Spain
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9
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Adams N, McVeigh JM, Cuesta-Vargas A, Abokdeer S. Evidence-based approaches for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome: a scoping review. PHYSICAL THERAPY REVIEWS 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2022.2157945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Adams
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Joseph M McVeigh
- School of Clinical Therapies, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Sedik Abokdeer
- Olympic Center for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Tripoli, Libya
- Foreign Libyan Medical Center for Physiotherapy and Orthopaedics, Al-Zawia, Libya
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10
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Yüksel A, Bahadir-Yilmaz E, Karakoyun A. The Relationship between Alexithymia, Psychological Well-Being and Religious Coping in Fibromyalgia Patients in Turkey. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2022; 61:3909-3921. [PMID: 34085189 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01294-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between alexithymia, psychological well-being, and religious coping in fibromyalgia patients. This study was planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional research design. The sample consisted of 175 fibromyalgia patients. Data were collected using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, the Psychological Well-being Scale, and the Religious Coping Scale. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation test and Multiple Linear Regression analysis. A negative correlation was found between alexithymia and negative religious coping (r = - 0.377, p = 0.000). A positive correlation was found between psychological well-being and negative religious coping (r = 0.364, p = 0.000). The alexithymia was predicted by psychological well-being level (β = - 0.629), positive (β = 0.170) and negative (β = - 0.216) religious coping levels (p < 0.05). Negative and positive religious coping strategies can affect psychological well-being and expressive thinking in patients with FMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arzu Yüksel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Emel Bahadir-Yilmaz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Giresun University, Giresun, 28340, Turkey.
| | - Ahmet Karakoyun
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
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11
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A behavioral and brain imaging dataset with focus on emotion regulation of women with fibromyalgia. Sci Data 2022; 9:581. [PMID: 36138036 PMCID: PMC9499938 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01677-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, as well as numerous symptoms related to central sensitization such as: fatigue, cognitive disturbances, constipation/diarrhea and sensory hypersensitivity. Furthermore, depression and anxiety are prevalent comorbidities, accompanied by emotion processing and regulation difficulties. Although fibromyalgia physiopathology is still not fully understood, neuroimaging research methods have shown brain structural and functional alterations as well as neuroinflammation abnormalities. We believe that open access to data may help fibromyalgia research advance more. Here, we present an open dataset of 33 fibromyalgia female patients and 33 paired healthy controls recruited from a Mexican population. Dataset includes demographic, clinical, behavioural and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. The MRI data consists of: structural (T1- and T2- weighted) and functional (task-based and resting state) sequences. The task was an emotion processing and regulation task based on visual stimuli. The MRI data contained in the repository are unprocessed, presented in Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) format and available on the OpenNeuro platform for future analysis. Measurement(s) | Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Functional MRI • brain • Emotion | Technology Type(s) | functional magnetic resonance imaging • Magnetic Resonance Imaging • Emotion regulation task | Factor Type(s) | valence • emotion regulation condition | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Homo sapiens | Sample Characteristic - Environment | laboratory environment | Sample Characteristic - Location | Mexico |
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12
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Is Whole-Body Cryostimulation an Effective Add-On Treatment in Individuals with Fibromyalgia and Obesity? A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154324. [PMID: 35893415 PMCID: PMC9332222 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain severity, depression, and sleep disturbances are key targets for FM rehabilitation. Recent evidence suggests that whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) might be an effective add-on treatment in the management of FM. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an add-on WBC intervention to a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program on pain intensity, depressive symptoms, disease impact, sleep quality, and performance-based physical functioning in a sample of FM patients with obesity. We performed a randomized controlled trial with 43 patients with FM and obesity undergoing a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program with and without the addition of ten 2-min WBC sessions at −110 °C over two weeks. According to our results, the implementation of ten sessions of WBC over two weeks produced additional benefits. Indeed, both groups reported positive changes after the rehabilitation; however, the group that underwent WBC intervention had greater improvements in the severity of pain, depressive symptoms, disease impact, and quality of sleep. On the contrary, with respect to performance-based physical functioning, we found no significant between-group differences. Our findings suggest that WBC could be a promising add-on treatment to improve key aspects of FM, such as pain, depressive symptoms, disease impact and poor sleep quality.
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13
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The Affective Dimension of Pain Appears to Be Determinant within a Pain-Insomnia-Anxiety Pathological Loop in Fibromyalgia: A Case-Control Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11123296. [PMID: 35743367 PMCID: PMC9225613 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disease characterized by multiple symptoms whose interactions and implications in the disease pathology are still unclear. This study aimed at investigating how pain, sleep, and mood disorders influence each other in FM, while discriminating between the sensory and affective pain dimensions. Methods: Sixteen female FM patients were evaluated regarding their pain, while they underwent—along with 11 healthy sex- and age-adjusted controls—assessment of mood and sleep disorders. Analysis of variance and correlations were performed in order to assess group differences and investigate the interactions between pain, mood, and sleep descriptors. Results: FM patients reported the typical widespread pain, with similar sensory and affective inputs. Contrary to controls, they displayed moderate anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Affective pain (but neither the sensory pain nor pain intensity) was the only pain indicator that tendentially correlated with anxiety and insomnia, which were mutually associated. An affective pain–insomnia–anxiety loop was thus completed. High ongoing pain strengthened this vicious circle, to which it included depression and sensory pain. Conclusions: Discriminating between the sensory and affective pain components in FM patients disclosed a pathological loop, with a key role of affective pain; high ongoing pain acted as an amplifier of symptoms interaction. This unraveled the interplay between three of most cardinal FM symptoms; these results contribute to better understand FM determinants and pathology and could help in orienting therapeutic strategies.
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14
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Aaron RV, Jung Mun C, McGill LS, Finan PH, Campbell CM. The Longitudinal Relationship Between Emotion Regulation and Pain-Related Outcomes: Results From a Large, Online Prospective Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 23:981-994. [PMID: 34974172 PMCID: PMC9232929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
People with chronic pain engage in various strategies, such as pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance, to regulate the difficult emotional aspects of living with pain. Engagement in these strategies is known to influence pain severity and pain interference. However, less research has examined the extent to which general emotion regulation, the ability to identify emotions and engage in strategies to alter emotions, relates to pain-related outcomes. The current study, a large (N = 1453) online prospective study of adults with chronic pain, employed theory-driven assessment of emotion regulation to determine the extent to which general difficulties with emotion regulation at baseline relate to pain severity and pain interference at three-month follow-up, above and beyond pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance. We conducted a series of path models, controlling for demographic covariates and baseline pain severity and pain interference. Pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance at baseline significantly predicted pain interference at three-month follow-up. However, when indices of general emotion regulation were entered into the model, the associations between pain catastrophizing and pain interference (B = .009, P = .153) were no longer statistically significant. Alexithymia emerged as a significant predictor of pain severity (B = .012, P = .032) and pain interference (B = .026, P < .001). These findings highlight the value of considering the role of general emotion regulation (particularly identifying and describing emotions), in addition to pain-specific experiences, in understanding risk for poor pain-related outcomes. PERSPECTIVE: In addition to pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance, difficulties regulating emotions in general (particularly elevated alexithymia) relates to pain outcomes three months later. These findings shed light on risk for poor pain outcomes and point to general emotion regulation as a potentially important target of chronic pain intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel V. Aaron
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
| | - Chung Jung Mun
- Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation,Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
| | - Lakeya S. McGill
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
| | - Patrick H. Finan
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
| | - Claudia M. Campbell
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
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15
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The Link between Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Anger: A Systematic Review Revealing Research Gaps. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030844. [PMID: 35160295 PMCID: PMC8836473 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anger has been associated with increased pain perception, but its specific connection with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) has not yet been established in an integrated approach. Therefore, the present systematic review focuses on exploring this connection, and based on this connection, delimiting possible gaps in the research, altogether aimed at improving FMS clinical intervention and guiding future research lines. Anger is considered a basic negative emotion that can be divided into two dimensions: anger-in (the tendency to repress anger when it is experienced) and anger-out (the leaning to express anger through verbal or physical means). The current systematic review was performed based on the guidelines of the PRISMA and Cochrane Collaborations. The Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) international database was forehand used to register the review protocol. The quality of chosen articles was assessed and the main limitations and research gaps resulting from each scientific article were discussed. The search included PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The literature search identified 13 studies eligible for the systematic review. Levels of anger-in have been shown to be higher in FMS patients compared to healthy participants, as well as patients suffering from other pain conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis). FMS patients had also showed higher levels of state and trait anxiety, worry and angry rumination than other chronic pain patients. Anger seems to amplify pain especially in women regardless FMS condition but with a particularly greater health-related quality of life´s impact in FMS patients. In spite of the relevance of emotions in the treatment of chronic pain, including FMS, only two studies have proposed intervention programs focus on anger treatment. These two studies have observed a positive reduction in anger levels through mindfulness and a strength training program. In conclusion, anger might be a meaningful therapeutic target in the attenuation of pain sensitivity, and the improvement of the general treatment effects and health-related quality of life in FMS patients. More intervention programs directed to reduce anger and contribute to improve well-being in FMS patients are needed.
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16
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Personality, Defense Mechanisms and Psychological Distress in Women with Fibromyalgia. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12010010. [PMID: 35049621 PMCID: PMC8772841 DOI: 10.3390/bs12010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that many personality traits are associated with fibromyalgia (FM), worsening both the quality of life and psychological distress of patients. Despite the high comorbidity of psychopathological disorders in this syndrome and their association with immature defense styles, few studies have examined the defense mechanisms used by FM patients. The main aim of our study was to investigate personality traits and defense mechanisms in FM patients compared to in a healthy control group (HC). Moreover, we investigated the effect of personality traits and defense mechanisms on psychological distress in both FM and HC groups. Methods: A total of 54 women with FM and 54 healthy women completed the (1) Temperament and Character Inventory—Revised; (2) the Toronto Alexithymia Scale; (3) the Defense Style Questionnaire; and (4) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: The results indicated that FM patients display higher alexithymia, higher harm avoidance, lower self-directedness, lower persistence, and the higher use of a maladaptive defense style compared to HC. We found that alexithymia, harm avoidance, and maladaptive defense style are significant predictors of patients’ psychological distress. Moreover, harm avoidance and adaptive defense style significantly predicted psychological distress in the HC group. Conclusion: The present study is the first to explore the contribution of both defense mechanisms and personality characteristics on the psychological distress of FM patients. Our findings have important clinical implications and may help diagnose and treat FM patients more in depth.
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17
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Cankurtaran D, Tezel N, Ercan B, Yildiz SY, Akyuz EU. The effects of COVID-19 fear and anxiety on symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot study. Adv Rheumatol 2021; 61:41. [PMID: 34193303 PMCID: PMC8243054 DOI: 10.1186/s42358-021-00200-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals faced psychological stress caused by fear and anxiety due to the high transmission and mortality rate of the disease, the social isolation, economic problems, and difficulties in reaching health services. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic centralized pain sensitivity disorder. Psychological, physical and/or autoimmune stressors were found to increase FM symptoms. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 fear and anxiety level, and to examine their effect on disease severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients compared to control group. METHODS This pilot study conducted as a cross-sectional study, and included 62 participants. Participants were divided into two groups: FM patient group (n = 31) and control group (n = 31). Symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood were determined using the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Pitsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), respectively. In order to evaluate the level of COVID-19 fear and anxiety, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were used compared to control group. RESULTS FIQR, PSQI, HAD-A, HAD-D, FCV-19S and CAS scores were significantly higher in the FM group (p = 0.01). A positive significant correlation was found between FCV-19S and CAS results and FIQR, PSQI, and HAD-anx results in FM patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This pilot study showed that, the individuals with FM can be more affected by psychological stress, and this situation negatively affects the symptom severity, sleep quality, and mood in FM patients, so these patients should be closely monitored in terms of psychological stressors and their effects during pandemics. More studies with more participants are necessary to describe the challenges lived by fibromyalgia population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damla Cankurtaran
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Altındag, 06080, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Nihal Tezel
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Altındag, 06080, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Buse Ercan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Altındag, 06080, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sadik Yigit Yildiz
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Altındag, 06080, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ece Unlu Akyuz
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Altındag, 06080, Ankara, Turkey
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18
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Guillouard M, Authier N, Pereira B, Soubrier M, Mathieu S. Cannabis use assessment and its impact on pain in rheumatologic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:549-556. [PMID: 33159797 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite classic analgesic or effective treatments in rheumatic diseases, such as synthetic DMARDs in RA, patients remain in pain and often turn to non-prescribed pharmacological alternatives, such as cannabis self-therapeutic use. However, this medical use of cannabis has not been thoroughly studied. METHODS We performed a systematic literature review up to June 2020. The incidence of cannabis consumption was calculated by metaproportion. Differences between cannabis users and non-users were expressed as standardized mean differences using the inverse-variance method. We also assessed the effects of cannabis on pain. RESULTS A total of 2900 patients reported cannabis consumption in a sample of 10 873 patients [incidence 40.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28, 0.54)], and 15.3% (95% CI: 0.07, 0.27) specified that they were currently taking cannabis. Cannabis use was higher in the four fibromyalgia studies [68.2% (95% CI: 0.41, 0.90), n = 611] compared with seven articles concerning RA or lupus [26.0% (95% CI: 0.14, 0.41), n = 8168]. Cannabis consumption was associated with a decrease in pain intensity [VAS pain at baseline 8.2 (2.9) vs 5.6 (3.5) mm over time; pooled effect size -1.75 (95% CI: -2.75, -0.76)]. Cannabis users were younger [58.4 (11.4) vs 63.6 (12.1) years; P <0.001], more often smokers [OR 2.91 (95% CI: 1.84, 4.60)] or unemployed [OR 2.40 (95% CI: 1.31, 4.40)], and had higher pain intensity [5.0 (2.4) vs 4.1(2.6) mm; P <0.001] than non-users. CONCLUSION Nearly 20% of patients suffering from rheumatologic diseases actively consume cannabis, with an improvement in pain. The issue of cannabis use in the management of these patients should be addressed during medical consultation, essentially with cannabis-based standardized pharmaceutical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Guillouard
- Rheumatology Department, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - N Authier
- Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR INSERM 1107, CHU, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Institut ANALGESIA, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Observatoire Français des Médicaments Antalgiques (OFMA), French Monitoring Centre for Analgesic Drugs, CHU, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - B Pereira
- Biostatistics Unit (Clinical Research Direction), University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand (CHU), Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - M Soubrier
- Rheumatology Department, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - S Mathieu
- Rheumatology Department, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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19
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Sousa H, Oliveira J, Figueiredo D, Ribeiro O. The clinical utility of the Distress Thermometer in non-oncological contexts: A scoping review. J Clin Nurs 2021; 30:2131-2150. [PMID: 33555631 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To assess the clinical utility of the Distress Thermometer (DT) in non-cancer populations. METHODS The search was performed between the 6th and the 18th of April 2020, on the following databases: Web of Science (all databases included), Scopus and Science Direct. One last update was performed on 5 June 2020. The findings were reported using the PRISMA-ScR. RESULTS Fifty-three studies were included. Overall results indicated that this tool has been used in several contexts and populations (clinical and non-clinical). The DT is highly accessible, suitable and relevant for health professionals and/or researchers who aim to use it as a distress screening tool, particularly in patients with chronic physical conditions. Assumptions about its practicality and acceptability in non-oncology care should be made with caution since few studies have explored the psychometric qualities of this instrument, the completers' perceptions about completing the DT and the perceptions of health professionals who administer the tool. CONCLUSIONS This lack of information undermines conclusions about the overall clinical utility of the DT as a screening tool for distress in individuals who do not have cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Future research should aim to fill this gap and investigate the psychometric qualities of the DT through validation studies and, thus, increase the rigour of its application and clinical utility in non-oncological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Sousa
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA), School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro (Campus Universitário de Santiago), Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jaime Oliveira
- Department of Education and Psychology, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA), University of Aveiro (Campus Universitário de Santiago), Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Daniela Figueiredo
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA), School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro (Campus Universitário de Santiago), Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Oscar Ribeiro
- Department of Education and Psychology, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA), University of Aveiro (Campus Universitário de Santiago), Aveiro, Portugal
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20
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Lai C, Ciacchella C, Pellicano GR, Altavilla D, Sambucini D, Paolucci T, Sorgi ML, Di Franco M, Saggini R, Aceto P. Different Electrophysiological Responses to Pain-Related Visual Stimuli Between Fibromyalgia and Chronic low Back Pain Women: A Pilot Case-Control Study. CHRONIC STRESS (THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF.) 2021; 5:24705470211046881. [PMID: 34988344 PMCID: PMC8723168 DOI: 10.1177/24705470211046881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome which occurs in the absence of an organic damage, whom causes is still unclear. Aims of this pilot study were to investigate the neural correlates of fibromyalgia in response to pain-related visual stimuli and explore the psychological differences among fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain (CLBP) and healthy conditions. METHODS After a clinical assessment, electrophysiological responses to pain-related visual stimuli were recorded using a 256-Hydrocel Geodesic-Sensor-Net. Event-related potentials (ERPs), standardised low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA), and psychological (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised) data were analysed for a total sample of 23 women (5 healthy volunteers, 12 fibromyalgia patients, 6 CLBP patients). RESULTS The main finding was that fibromyalgia women reported a different brain response to pain-related visual stimuli on the frontal montage compared to women with CLBP (p = .028). Moreover, fibromyalgia women showed an increased activity mainly on the hippocampus (p = .003) and the posterior cingulate cortex (p ≤ .001) in response to algic stimuli compared to not algic ones. Lastly, these women presented higher scores on the somatization (p = .002), obsession-compulsion (p = .045), depression (p = .043) and positive symptom distress (p = .023) dimensions compared to the healthy women. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that although the painful symptoms are similar, the central elaboration of pain could be different between women with fibromyalgia and those with CLBP. Moreover, these findings provide preliminary evidences about the great alert and the central sensitivity to pain-related information regarding fibromyalgia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Lai
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ciacchella
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Romana Pellicano
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Altavilla
- Department of Philosophy, Communication
and Performing Arts, “Roma Tre” University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Sambucini
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical
Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Paolucci
- Department of Oral and Biotechnological
Biomedical Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of G.
D'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Sorgi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular
Medicine, Sant' Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University
of, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Di Franco
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical
Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Raoul Saggini
- Department of Oral and Biotechnological
Biomedical Sciences, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of G.
D'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Aceto
- Department of Emergency,
anesthesiological and reanimation sciences, Fondazione Policlinico
Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Basic Biotechnological
Sciences, Intensive Care and Perioperative Clinics, University of Sacred
Heart, Rome, Italy
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21
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Lanzara R, Conti C, Camelio M, Cannizzaro P, Lalli V, Bellomo RG, Saggini R, Porcelli P. Alexithymia and Somatization in Chronic Pain Patients: A Sequential Mediation Model. Front Psychol 2020; 11:545881. [PMID: 33192791 PMCID: PMC7655126 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.545881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate whether chronic pain (CP) patients with somatization reported higher alexithymic traits than those without somatization and to study the different relationships between psychological characteristics, pain, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and somatization. Method A consecutive sample of 134 CP treatment-seeking outpatients were evaluated for alexithymia (TAS-20), somatization (PHQ-15), distress (HADS), HRQL (SF-12), and pain (BPI). Results Patients with somatization (37.04%) reported significantly higher TAS-20 total scores (p < 0.001) and difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF) (p < 0.001) than those without somatization. The somatizer group had also a significantly higher disease duration, severity and interference of pain, distress, and lower HRQL than the non-somatizer group. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that although distress, pain interference and the mental HRQL component are closely related to somatization (R2 = 0.55), DIF was the strongest predictor of severity of somatization (β = 0.31). A sequential indirect effect from DIF to somatization via distress symptoms and pain interference turned out to be significant [95% CI (0.01, 0.09)]. Support was also found for sequential mediation paths from DIF to somatization via distress and mental HRQL [95% CI (0.01, 0.11)]. Conclusions Our results pointed-out that alexithymia, particularly DIF, may be major factor for somatization risk in CP patients. Longitudinal observations are needed for evaluating the role of alexithymia in clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lanzara
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Chiara Conti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Martina Camelio
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paolo Cannizzaro
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Regional Pain Unit, University Hospital SS. Annunziata, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vittorio Lalli
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Regional Pain Unit, University Hospital SS. Annunziata, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rosa Grazia Bellomo
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Raoul Saggini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Piero Porcelli
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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22
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The effect of alexithymia and depressive feelings on pain perception in somatoform pain disorder. J Psychosom Res 2020; 133:110101. [PMID: 32224345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between alexithymia and depression and their influence on the subjective versus experimental pain perception in somatoform pain disorder. METHODS Three groups consisting of 40 patients with somatoform pain disorder, 40 patients with depression, and 40 healthy controls were matched. They completed questionnaires regarding alexithymia (TAS26) and depressive feelings (BDI-II). In addition, pain patients rated their subjective pain intensity (NRS). Quantitative sensory testings were conducted in all participants examining temperature (CPT, HPT) and mechanical (MPT, PPT) thresholds. RESULTS Analysis of variance showed that alexithymia was significantly increased in both patient groups compared to healthy controls, but with the highest amount in somatoform pain. Regression analyses confirmed that this finding was in part due to a high comorbidity of depressive feelings in both patient groups. We found a discrepancy between increased clinical pain ratings and elevated pressure pain thresholds, indicating a less intense mechanical pain perception in somatoform pain. Correlation analyses demonstrated a significant connection of subjective pain ratings and pressure pain thresholds with depressive feelings. CONCLUSION Contrary to the results of other experimental pain studies on chronic muskuloskeletal pain syndromes, we could not confirm central sensitization in somatoform pain disorder. Our findings place the somatoform pain disorder more in the direction of affective disorder such as depression. These findings may improve a better understanding of the disease and also have direct therapeutic implications. The high occurrence of alexithymia and depressive feelings in somatoform pain should be considered in diagnostic and therapeutic regimens of these patients.
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Khosravani V, Samimi Ardestani SM, Alvani A, Amirinezhad A. Alexithymia, empathy, negative affect and physical symptoms in patients with asthma. Clin Psychol Psychother 2020; 27:736-748. [PMID: 32285550 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although alexithymia has been found to be associated with physical symptoms in psychosomatic disorders such as asthma, mechanisms linking this association are unknown. However, affective alexithymic features may be associated with physical symptoms in the presence of deficits in affective characteristics such as low empathy and high negative affect. This study aimed to assess direct effects of alexithymic traits on physical symptoms and indirect effects of these subscales through empathy and negative affect (e.g. depressive, anxious and stress symptoms) by controlling for asthma severity in patients with asthma. Three hundred patients with asthma completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20), the Basic Empathy Scale (BES), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and the Physical Symptoms Inventory (PSI). After controlling for asthma severity, the results showed that alexithymia subscales of the TAS-20 had no direct effects on physical symptoms, but the difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF) subscale of the TAS-20 was associated with affective empathy and negative affect. Affective empathy was significantly related to negative affect. Affective empathy and negative affect were associated with physical symptoms. The affective subscale of alexithymia on the TAS-20, that is DIF, indirectly affected physical symptoms through affective empathy and negative affect. Findings suggest that patients with asthma who have high levels of DIF may show high physical symptoms in the presence of low affective empathy and high negative affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Khosravani
- Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Samimi Ardestani
- Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Alvani
- Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Ali Amirinezhad
- Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
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Attachment style and parental bonding: Relationships with fibromyalgia and alexithymia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231674. [PMID: 32287311 PMCID: PMC7156042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome, and alexithymia, which is a condition that is characterised by deficits in emotional self-awareness, is highly prevalent among individuals with FM. Insecure attachment styles and inadequate parental care appear to play an important role in the onset and maintenance of both alexithymia and chronic pain. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the associations between attachment styles, parental bonding, and alexithymia among patients with FM and healthy controls (HC). Methods All participants completed a battery of tests that assessed alexithymia, attachment styles, and parental bonding. Two logistic regression models were tested to examine whether these variables predict (a) group membership (i.e. patients with FM vs. HC) and (b) the likelihood of having alexithymia (i.e. among patients with FM and HC). Results Alexithymia (i.e. difficulty identifying and describing feelings subscales of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale) significantly predicted group membership (i.e. the likelihood of having FM). On the other hand, educational level and dismissive attachment (i.e. the discomfort with closeness and relationships as secondary subscales of the Attachment Style Questionnaire) were the only significant predictors of the likelihood of having alexithymia. Conclusions These findings highlight both the relevance of alexithymic traits to the definition of FM and centrality of an insecure attachment style to the manifestation of alexithymia.
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Alexithymia in individuals with chronic pain and its relation to pain intensity, physical interference, depression, and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain 2020; 160:994-1006. [PMID: 31009416 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have examined how alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing one's emotions and a preference for externally oriented thinking) relates to chronic pain and associated disability. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize individual studies that either assessed alexithymia in individuals with chronic pain vs controls or related alexithymia to pain intensity, physical interference, depression, and anxiety. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO from inception through June 2017; 77 studies met the criteria (valid assessment of alexithymia in adults or children with any chronic pain condition) and were included in analyses (n = 8019 individuals with chronic pain). Primary analyses indicated that chronic pain samples had significantly higher mean alexithymia scores compared with nonclinical (d = 0.81) and clinical nonpain (d = 0.55) controls. In chronic pain samples, alexithymia was significantly positively associated with pain intensity (d = 0.20), physical interference (d = 0.17), depression (d = 0.46), and anxiety (d = 0.43). Secondary meta-analyses of 14 studies that conducted partial correlations that controlled for negative affect-related measures revealed that alexithymia was no longer significantly related to pain intensity or interference. Meta-analysis findings demonstrated that alexithymia is elevated in individuals with chronic pain and related to greater pain intensity and physical interference, although the latter relationships may be accounted for by negative affect. Critical future work is needed that examines alexithymia assessed using non-self-report measures, develops a person-centered perspective on this construct, and identifies how alexithymia is relevant to the assessment and treatment of individuals with chronic pain.
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Orrù G, Gemignani A, Ciacchini R, Bazzichi L, Conversano C. Machine Learning Increases Diagnosticity in Psychometric Evaluation of Alexithymia in Fibromyalgia. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 6:319. [PMID: 31998737 PMCID: PMC6970411 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we report an investigation on the accuracy of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, a measure to assess alexithymia, a multidimensional construct often associate to fibromyalgia. Two groups of participants, patients with fibromyalgia (n = 38), healthy controls (n = 38) were administered the Toronto Alexithymia Scale and background tests. Machine learning models achieved an overall accuracy higher than 80% in detecting both patients with fibromyalgia and healthy controls. The parameter which alone has demonstrated maximum efficiency in classifying the single subject within the two groups has been the item 3 of the alexithymia scale. The analysis of the most informative features, based on all scales administered, revealed that item 3 and 13 of the alexithymia questionnaire and the visual analog scale scores were the most informative attributes in correctly classifying participants (accuracy above 85%). An additional analyses using only the alexithymia scale subset of items and the visual analog scale scores has shown that the predictors which efficiently classified patients with fibromyalgia and controls were the item 3 and 7 (accuracy = 85.53%). Our findings suggest that machine learning models analysis based on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale subset of items scores accurately distinguish patients with fibromyalgia from healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Orrù
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelo Gemignani
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rebecca Ciacchini
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Bazzichi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ciro Conversano
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Horta-Baas G, Romero-Figueroa MDS. Self-reported disability in women with fibromyalgia from a tertiary care center. Adv Rheumatol 2019; 59:45. [DOI: 10.1186/s42358-019-0086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 is a generic instrument to assess disability. Pain and psychological factors seem to play a pronounced disabling role in fibromyalgia (FM). There are few studies that investigate the factors associated with disability in patients with fibromyalgia from the patient’s perspective. Information about FM disability using self-reported questionnaires is limited. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the ordinal response variable (degree of disability), and four explanatory variables: pain intensity, depression, anxiety, and alexithymia.
Methods
One hundred fifteen women with FM were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. For the assessment of disability the WHODAS 2.0 (36-item version) was used. Univariate and multivariate (ordinal logistic regression) analyses were performed to assess the relationship between pain (Visual Analogue Scale), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), alexithymia (Modified Toronto Alexithymia Scale) and disability.
Results
Disability was detected by global WHODAS score in 114 patients (99%), with the corresponding percentages for mild, moderate and severe disability being 11.3, 46.96 and 40.87%, respectively. Global WHODAS score was more severe among subjects with depression (50 vs 36.4, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.33) and alexithymia (50 vs 33.6, p < 0.001, effect size = 0.38). Pain intensity mean scores for mild, moderate and severe disability were 5.0, 6.1 and 7.3, respectively (p < 0.001, omega-squared = 0.12). Pain intensity explained the global disability degree and its domains except for the cognitive one. Whereas, depression explained cognitive and personal relation domains. On the other hand, alexithymia explained global disability degree and all domains of WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire.
Conclusions
Most of the patients with fibromyalgia perceived themselves with moderate to severe disability. The main explanatory variables of the perceived disability were the pain intensity and psychological factors (alexithymia and depression).
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Tesio V, Ghiggia A, Di Tella M, Castelli L. Utility of the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research in assessing psychological disorders in fibromyalgia patients. J Affect Disord 2019; 256:219-220. [PMID: 31200161 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tesio
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Po 14, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Ada Ghiggia
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Po 14, 10123 Turin, Italy; Clinical and Oncological Psychology, "Città della Salute e della Scienza" Hospital of Turin, Corso Bramante 88/90, 10126 Turin, Italy.
| | - Marialaura Di Tella
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Po 14, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Lorys Castelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Po 14, 10123 Turin, Italy
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Aaron RV, Fisher EA, Palermo TM. Alexithymia in adolescents with and without chronic pain. Rehabil Psychol 2019; 64:469-474. [PMID: 31393153 DOI: 10.1037/rep0000287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE Alexithymia refers to reduced emotional awareness and is associated with higher levels of burden and disability in adults with chronic pain. Limited research has examined alexithymia in adolescents with chronic pain. The current study aimed to (a) determine whether alexithymia was higher in adolescents with (vs. without) chronic pain and (b) examine the relationship between alexithymia and pain experiences in youth. Research Method/Design: We assessed alexithymia in 22 adolescents with chronic pain and in 22 adolescents without chronic pain (otherwise healthy), and its relation to pain experiences (i.e., self-reported pain intensity, pain bothersomeness, and pain interference), while controlling for the concomitant effects of psychological distress (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms). RESULTS After controlling for psychological distress, adolescents with versus without chronic pain had higher total alexithymia scores (p = .042; η2 = .10), and specifically, greater difficulty identifying feelings (p = .001; η2 = .23). Difficulty identifying feelings was related to worse pain interference (r = .55; p = .015) and pain bothersomeness (r = .55; p = .015). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS These preliminary findings suggest that adolescents with chronic pain may have greater difficulty identifying their emotions, and that this might be related to increased pain interference and pain bothersomeness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Marchi L, Marzetti F, Orrù G, Lemmetti S, Miccoli M, Ciacchini R, Hitchcott PK, Bazzicchi L, Gemignani A, Conversano C. Alexithymia and Psychological Distress in Patients With Fibromyalgia and Rheumatic Disease. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1735. [PMID: 31417462 PMCID: PMC6685004 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic rheumatologic disease characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and other psychopathological symptoms which have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. FMS is frequently associated with alexithymia, a multidimensional construct characterized by difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF) and verbally communicating them difficulty describing feelings (DDF) and an externally oriented cognitive thinking style (EOT). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between alexithymia, anxious and depressive symptoms and pain perception, in patients with FMS and other rheumatic diseases (RD). METHODS The sample consisted of 127 participants (M = 25, F = 102; mean age: 51.97; SD: 11.14), of which 48 with FMS, 41 with RD and 38 healthy control group (HC). All groups underwent to a test battery investigating anxiety and depressive symptoms (HADS), pain (VAS; QUID-S/-A) and alexithymia (TAS-20). RESULTS A high prevalence of alexithymia (TAS ≥ 61) was found in FMS (47.9%) and RD (41.5%) patients, compared to the HC group (2.6%). FMS patients showed significant higher scores than HC on DIF, DDF, EOT, anxiety and depression. The clinical sample, FMS and RD groups combined (n = 89), alexithymic patients (AL, n = 40) exhibited higher scores in pain and psychological distress compared to non-alexithymic patients (N-AL, n = 34). Regression analysis found no relationship between alexithymia and pain in AL, meanwhile pain intensity was predicted by anxiety in N-AL. CONCLUSION While increasing clinical symptoms (pain intensity and experience, alexithymia, anxiety, and depression) in patients with fibromyalgia or rheumatic diseases, correlations were found on the one side, between alexithymia and psychological distress, on the other side, between pain experience and intensity. Meanwhile, when symptoms of psychological distress and alexithymia were subthreshold, correlations with pain experience and intensity became stronger.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ciro Conversano
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is a centralized pain state that until recently has been shrouded in mystery and questionable as a disease entity in the eyes of many physicians, who considered it purely psychogenic. Fibromyalgia is now thought of as a discrete diagnosis with a clustering of symptoms characterized by central nervous system pain amplification along with anergia, memory loss, disturbances of mood, and sleep disruption. The condition is present in approximately 2% to 8% of the population. Material/Methods We review the link between inflammatory mechanisms and FM from a neuropsychiatric perspective. Results Recent studies are pointing to a neuroinflammatory etiology that may open up more effective treatment strategies in the future. Conclusions Better conceptualization of FM may also elucidate a neuropsychiatric understanding of how nociception, dysthymia, and suicidality co-develop and feed off one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Duque
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory Fricchione
- Department of Psychiatry, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Ballespí S, Vives J, Alonso N, Sharp C, Ramírez MS, Fonagy P, Barrantes-Vidal N. To know or not to know? Mentalization as protection from somatic complaints. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215308. [PMID: 31048857 PMCID: PMC6497236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatization processes are usually associated with a lack of insight or with emotional unawareness, especially in adolescents where the ability for self-reflection is beginning to mature. However, the extent to which different levels of insight explain variations in somatization remains understudied. This study aimed to evaluate whether high-level emotional awareness (comprehension) but not low-level awareness (only attention) is needed to psychologically cope with suffering, thus leading to lower somatization. Specific predictions were: 1) High attention along with High comprehension will be associated with significantly lower frequency of somatic complaints than other combinations (Low attention and Low comprehension, or High attention but Low comprehension); 2) In absence of comprehension, no attention will be more optimal than attention only, because only-attention might work as an amplificatory of suffering without the possibility of processing it. Self-reports of meta-cognitive processes, somatization, and control variables were obtained from 264 adolescents from a non-clinical population (54.5% female; aged 12-18, M = 14.7, SD = 1.7). In line with expectations, results revealed significant differences in the effects of insight positions on somatization: Attention+Comprehension (M = 4.9, SE = 0.9) < Nothing (M = 7.1, SE = 0.3) < Only attention (M = 8.9, SE = 0.7). Compared to Nothing, Attention+comprehension was associated with significantly reduced somatic complaints (B = -2.2, p = 0.03, 95% CI -4,1 to 0.2). However, Only attention was associated with increased somatic complaints compared to the other two conditions (B = 1.8, p = 0.03, 95% CI 0.2 to 3.4; B = 4, CI 95% 1.6-6.3, p = 0.001, respectively). This highlights the role of higher-order awareness (i.e., comprehension or clarity) in the processing of suffering and stresses its value in the adaptive coping of emotional distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Ballespí
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jaume Vives
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Naida Alonso
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carla Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, United States of America
| | - María Salvadora Ramírez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Peter Fonagy
- Department of Psychology & Lang Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Mental Health, Fundació Sanitària Sant Pere Claver, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Perrot S. Fibromyalgia: A misconnection in a multiconnected world? Eur J Pain 2019; 23:866-873. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Perrot
- Pain Center Hôpital Cochin, INSERM U987, Paris Descartes University Paris France
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Conversano C, Marchi L, Rebecca C, Carmassi C, Contena B, Bazzichi LM, Gemignani A. Personality Traits in Fibromyalgia (FM): Does FM Personality Exists? A Systematic Review. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 2018; 14:223-232. [PMID: 30294356 PMCID: PMC6166394 DOI: 10.2174/1745017901814010223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is the second most common rheumatic disease with many effects on patient's quality of life. It has been described as a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculo-skeletal pain, sleep disorders and prominent fatigue. Regarding the role of personality factors in fibromyalgia, researchers have focused both on personality traits and psychopathological aspects showing inconsistent results. In particular, several studies have examined the role of alexithymia in FM patients, a trait of personality characterized by difficulty in identification, recognition and description of emotions and feelings, while others have focused on a specific type of personality, such as type D personality (distressed personality). Other studies investigated personality in FM patients referring to Cloninger’s model, a psychobiological model of personality that includes both temperamental and character dimensions of personality. Analyzing scientific literature on this subject seems well suited to provide a critical review of the latest studies and their results. Methods: The method used for this review satisfies the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We identified PsycInfo and PubMed as databases for our research. Results: Personality is studied under many aspects and a reference model is not always present. Many studies underline high levels of alexithymia and type D personality in FM patients but when depression is controlled, these results do not differ from those of healthy controls. Conclusion: Studies that use a comprehensive model of personality present a different theoretical approach and use alternatively the Big-Five model, Eysenck’s and Cloninger’s models. The use of a comprehensive model of personality and the control of psychopathological disorders, such as anxiety and depression, seem to be very relevant for a better understanding of a specific personality profile associated with fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Conversano
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Marchi
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ciacchini Rebecca
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, via Roma 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Maria Bazzichi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatologic Clinic, University of Pisa, via Roma 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Angelo Gemignani
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Miki K, Nakae A, Shi K, Yasuda Y, Yamamori H, Fujimoto M, Ikeda M, Shibata M, Yukioka M, Hashimoto R. Frequency of mental disorders among chronic pain patients with or without fibromyalgia in Japan. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2018; 38:167-174. [PMID: 30507027 PMCID: PMC7292302 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To explore the characteristics of psychiatric morbidity in chronic pain patients who present with or without fibromyalgia. Methods Patients are referred to our chronic pain clinic from primary medical institutions, as we are a secondary medical institution. Although some patients have chronic pain, they have no clear organic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis to account for the pain. Among the 367 new patients seen during the period from March 2009 to August 2012, 347 patients underwent psychiatric evaluation in face‐to‐face interviews with mental health specialists before a physical examination. Results Of the 347 patients examined, at least one psychiatric diagnosis was made for 94.6%. The average number of DSM‐IV‐TR diagnoses was 1.46 in the 330 chronic pain patients who had at least one psychiatric diagnosis. The breakdown of the number of psychodiagnoses was one in 60.8%, two in 27.1%, three in 4.9%, and more than three in 2.3% chronic pain patients with or without fibromyalgia. In fibromyalgia patients, the highest relative frequencies were found for somatoform disorders (76%), followed by dysthymic disorder (17%) and major depressive disorder (15%). In patients without fibromyalgia, the highest relative frequencies were found for somatoform disorders (64%), followed by major depressive disorder (15%) and dysthymic disorder (14%). Psychiatric disorders were found in 96.9% of fibromyalgia patients, and in 93.5% of chronic pain patients without fibromyalgia in Japan (no significant difference using chi‐square test). Conclusion Results show that chronic pain patients with or without fibromyalgia are extremely likely to be diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Psychodiagnoses of fibromyalgia patients and chronic pain patients without fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Miki
- Department of Pain Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Center for Pain Management, Hayaishi Hospital, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, Yukioka Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Aya Nakae
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenrin Shi
- Tenjin Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuka Yasuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidenaga Yamamori
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Michiko Fujimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiko Shibata
- Department of Pain Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masao Yukioka
- Department of Rheumatology, Yukioka Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryota Hashimoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Tesio V, Di Tella M, Ghiggia A, Romeo A, Colonna F, Fusaro E, Geminiani GC, Castelli L. Alexithymia and Depression Affect Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Pain: A Study on 205 Patients With Fibromyalgia. Front Psychol 2018; 9:442. [PMID: 29670558 PMCID: PMC5893813 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain in fibromyalgia (FM) is accompanied by a heterogeneous series of other symptoms, which strongly affect patients’ quality of life and interfere with social and work performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of alexithymia on both the physical and the psychosocial components of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of FM patients, controlling for the concomitant effects of depression, anxiety, and pain. In particular, given the strong interconnection between depression and alexithymia, the relationship between alexithymia and HRQoL as mediated by depressive symptoms was further investigated. Data were collected on a consecutive sample of 205 female patients with a main diagnosis of FM. The results showed that about 26% of the patients showed the presence of alexithymia, as assessed by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Clinically relevant levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms were present in 61 and 60% of the patients, respectively. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that pain intensity (PI) and depressive symptoms explained the 45% of the variance of the physical component of HRQoL (p < 0.001). Regarding the mental component of HRQoL, depressive and anxiety symptoms, alexithymia, and PI significantly explained 61% of the variance (p < 0.001). The mediation analyses confirmed that alexithymia had a direct effect on the mental component of HRQoL and showed a statistically significant indirect effect on both the physical and the mental components, through the mediation of depressive symptoms. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested the presence of both a direct and an indirect effect of alexithymia, in particular of the difficulty identifying feeling, on the HRQoL of patients with FM. Indeed, even though the concomitant presence of depressive symptoms is responsible of an indirect effect, alexithymia per se seems to directly contribute to worsen the impact that this chronic pain pathology has on the patients’ quality of life, especially regarding the psychosocial functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ada Ghiggia
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Annunziata Romeo
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Clinical Psychology Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Colonna
- Clinical Psychology Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Fusaro
- Rheumatology Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Lorys Castelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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An exploratory analysis of the influence of personality and emotional factors on cerebral blood flow responses during painful stimulation in Fibromyalgia. Scand J Psychol 2018; 59:301-310. [DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Tella MD, Enrici I, Castelli L, Colonna F, Fusaro E, Ghiggia A, Romeo A, Tesio V, Adenzato M. Alexithymia, not fibromyalgia, predicts the attribution of pain to anger-related facial expressions. J Affect Disord 2018; 227:272-279. [PMID: 29127814 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain, occurring predominantly in women. Previous studies have shown that patients with FM display a pattern of selective processing or cognitive bias which fosters the encoding of pain-related information. The present study tested the hypothesis of an increased attribution of pain to facial expressions of emotions (FEE), in patients with FM. As previous studies have shown that alexithymia influences the processing of facial expressions, independent of specific clinical conditions, we also investigated whether alexithymia, rather than FM per se, influenced attribution of pain to FEE. METHODS One hundred and twenty-three women (41 with FM, 82 healthy controls, HC) were enrolled in this cross-sectional case-control study. We adopted two pain-attribution tasks, the Emotional Pain Estimation and the Emotional Pain Ascription, both using a modified version of the Ekman 60 Faces Test. Psychological distress was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and alexithymia was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. RESULTS Patients with FM did not report increased attribution of pain to FEE. Alexithymic individuals demonstrated no specific problem in the recognition of basic emotions, but attributed significantly more pain to angry facial expression. LIMITATIONS Our study involved a relatively small sample size. The use of self-reported instruments might have led to underestimation of the presence of frank alexithymia in individuals having borderline cut-off scores. CONCLUSIONS Alexithymia, rather than FM per se, plays a key role in explaining the observed differences in pain attribution to anger-related facial expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivan Enrici
- Department of Philosophy and Educational Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Lorys Castelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Colonna
- A.O.U. "Città della Salute e della Scienza" Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Fusaro
- A.O.U. "Città della Salute e della Scienza" Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ada Ghiggia
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Mauro Adenzato
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Davydov DM, Naliboff B, Shahabi L, Shapiro D. Asymmetries in reciprocal baroreflex mechanisms and chronic pain severity: Focusing on irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018; 30. [PMID: 28834014 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Objective measures of pain severity remain ill defined, although its accurate measurement is critical. Reciprocal baroreflex mechanisms of blood pressure (BP) control were found to impact differently on pain regulation, and thus their asymmetry was hypothesized to also connect to chronic pain duration and severity. METHODS Seventy-eight female patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 27 healthy women were assessed for IBS severity and chronicity, negative affect, and various measures of resting autonomic function including BP, heart rate and its variability (HRV), baroreceptor-sensitivity to activations and inhibitions, gains of brady- and tachy-cardiac baro-responses, gains of BP falls/rises, and BP start points for these spontaneous baroreflexes. KEY RESULTS IBS directly and indirectly (through increased negative affect) was associated with asymmetry between baroreceptor activations/inhibitions compared to symmetrical baroreflex reciprocity in the healthy women. In the IBS group, independently of specific IBS symptoms, pain chronicity was associated with (i) decreased BP falls coupled with either (a) decreased tachycardia associated with lower disease severity (earlier "pain resilience" mechanism), or (b) decreased bradycardia associated with higher disease severity (later "pain decompensation" mechanism), or (ii) increased BP start point for baroreceptor activations coupled with either (a) BP increase (delayed "pain adaptation" mechanism) or (b) affect-related HRV decrease (delayed "pain aggravation" mechanism). CONCLUSION AND INFERENCES We anticipate the findings to be a starting point for validating these autonomic metrics of pain suffering and pain coping mechanisms in other chronic pain syndromes to suggest them as biomarkers of its severity and duration for profiling and correct management of chronic pain patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Davydov
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Department of Medical Development, GLMED Longevity & Beauty Residence, Moscow, Russia
| | - B Naliboff
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - L Shahabi
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - D Shapiro
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Di Tella M, Tesio V, Ghiggia A, Romeo A, Colonna F, Fusaro E, Geminiani GC, Bruzzone M, Torta R, Castelli L. Coping strategies and perceived social support in fibromyalgia syndrome: Relationship with alexithymia. Scand J Psychol 2017; 59:167-176. [PMID: 29110306 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by high levels of psychological distress and alexithymia, a personality disposition affecting emotional self-awareness. The main aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time the relationship between alexithymia and coping strategies on the one hand, and alexithymia and perceived social support on the other, in a sample of FM patients. To reach this aim, 153 FM patients completed a battery of tests assessing coping strategies, perceived social support, alexithymia, psychological distress and pain intensity. Four regression analyses were performed to assess whether alexithymia was still a significant predictor of coping strategies and perceived social support, after controlling for psychological distress. High levels of both psychological distress and alexithymia were found in our sample of FM patients. Regarding coping strategies, FM patients reported higher scores on problem-focused coping, with respect to the other two coping strategies. The regression analyses showed that the externally-oriented thinking factor of alexithymia significantly explained both problem- and emotion-focused coping, while the difficulty-describing feelings factor of alexithymia proved to be a significant predictor of perceived social support. Only the variance of dysfunctional coping ceased to be uniquely explained by alexithymia (difficulty identifying feelings factor), after controlling for psychological distress, particularly anxiety. These results highlight a negative relationship between alexithymia and both the use of effective coping strategies and the levels of perceived social support in FM patients. An adequate assessment of both alexithymia and psychological distress should therefore be included in clinical practice with these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ada Ghiggia
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizio Colonna
- A.O.U. 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Fusaro
- A.O.U. 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuliano Carlo Geminiani
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,A.O.U. 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Bruzzone
- A.O.U. 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Torta
- A.O.U. 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, Turin, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lorys Castelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Hadlandsmyth K, Dailey DL, Rakel BA, Zimmerman MB, Vance CG, Merriwether EN, Chimenti RL, Geasland KM, Crofford LJ, Sluka KA. Somatic symptom presentations in women with fibromyalgia are differentially associated with elevated depression and anxiety. J Health Psychol 2017; 25:819-829. [PMID: 29076404 DOI: 10.1177/1359105317736577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined whether depression and anxiety differentially relate to fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, and pain severity in women with fibromyalgia. Baseline data from the Fibromyalgia Activity Study with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation were analyzed. Of 191 participants, 50 percent reported high anxiety and/or depression (17% high anxiety, 9% high depression, and 24% both). Fatigue and sleep impairment were associated with high depression (p < 0.05). Pain severity, pain catastrophizing, and fear of movement were associated with high anxiety and high depression (p < 0.05). Possible implications for underlying mechanisms and the need for targeted treatments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Hadlandsmyth
- Department of Anesthesia, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Dana L Dailey
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | | | | | - Carol Gt Vance
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Ericka N Merriwether
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Ruth L Chimenti
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Katharine M Geasland
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | | | - Kathleen A Sluka
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
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Sancassiani F, Machado S, Ruggiero V, Cacace E, Carmassi C, Gesi C, Dell'Osso L, Carta MG. The management of fibromyalgia from a psychosomatic perspective: an overview. Int Rev Psychiatry 2017; 29:473-488. [PMID: 28681628 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2017.1320982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a central sensitization syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain. FM is often comorbid with psychiatric disorders, as well as psychological distress that worsens the quality-of-life of people affected. The aim was to collect current evidence about the management of FM from a psychosomatic perspective. The literature was synthesized and summarized in a narrative format. The literature search was carried out in PubMed; review articles, meta-analysis, overview, and guidelines published in the last 10 years written in English were included. Five main topics (Diagnostic criteria of FM; Pathogenesis of chronic widespread pain in FM; Early stress and trauma as predisposing factors for central sensitization; FM and Psychiatric comorbidity; Implications for treatment) were pointed out and discussed. Much evidence underlies the importance of considering and treating the comorbidity of FM with psychiatric disorders and psychological factors that affect pain management. Validation of FM as a central sensitization syndrome by a clinician facilitates therapeutic strategies that involve patients as active participants in the pain management process, likely leading to improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Sancassiani
- a Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
| | - Sergio Machado
- b Laboratory of Panic and Respiration , Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ) , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brazil.,c Physical Activity Neuroscience , Physical Activity Sciences Postgraduate Program, Salgado de Oliveira University , Niterói , Brazil
| | - Valeria Ruggiero
- a Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
| | - Enrico Cacace
- a Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
| | - Claudia Carmassi
- d Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Camilla Gesi
- d Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Liliana Dell'Osso
- d Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Mauro Giovanni Carta
- a Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health , University of Cagliari , Cagliari , Italy
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