Background Psychiatric symptoms occur in patients with chronic pain. It is well known that patients with rheumatoid arthritis present symptoms of depression to various degrees of intensity. Primary fibromyalgia syndrome is a form of non articular rheumatism characterised by generalised aches, pains, tender points, stiffness, and fatigue. There is an interest association between depression and pain.

Objectives The present study examines the personality structure of the patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods Fifty (50) patients with rheumatoid arthritis and twenty-five (25) with fibromyalgia combared with fifty (50) non-patients without pain. All patients presented the basic criteria and symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis (based in diagnostic criteria of the ARA revised at 1987 and the ACR 1990 diagnostic criteria for the fibromyalgia). The psychometric instruments are; a) HDHQ [Hostility and Direction of Hostility]. b) The SCL-90R [Symptom Check List-90R]. c) DSSI-SAD[Delusions Symptoms Inventory-State of Anxiety and Depression].

Results The patients with primary fibromyalgia presents higher scores of depression and somatization than patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion Probably the patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reasonable and accepted from this parents because is evident in our disability.

References

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2. Krol B, Sanderman R, Suurmeijer TP. Social support and quality of life concepts measurement and research. Patient Educ Couns. 1993;20:101–20