Article Text
Abstract
Background Several well established instruments are available to measure health status and functional disability in persons with rheumatic diseases. Although both instruments are reliable and valid for several rheumatic disease groups, no formal psychometric testing of instruments have been reported for the population with fibromyalgia.
Objectives The study was designed to investigate the correlation between Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and clinical symptoms, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in patients with fibromyalgia in Turkey.
Methods FIQ is an assessment and evaluation instrument developed to measure physical functioning, work status, depression, anxiety, sleep, pain, stiffness, fatigue, and well being of fibromyalgia patients. We administered the FIQ and HAQ to 64 patients with fibromiyalgia and 48 healthy persons. Severity of relevant clinical symptoms (pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, morning stiffness, muscle spasm, number of tender points, sensitivity of trigger points) were assessed.
Results The mean age of the patients and healthy group were 27,98+7,23 and 28,75+5,67, respectively (p > 0.05). Disease duration was 4,09+3,42 years. Correlation between FIQ and HAQ scores were rho = 0.46 (p < 0.01). Significant correlations were obtained between the FIQ scores and severity of clinical symptoms (morning stiffness r = 0.42 (p < 0.01), fatigue r = 0.26 (p < 0.05), pain r = 0.67 (p < 0.01), sensitivity r = 0.25 (p < 0.05)). In addition, significant correlations were obtained between the HAQ scores and number of tender points r = 0.28 (p < 0.05), morning stiffness r = 0.28 (p < 0.05), pain r = 0.37 (p < 0.01).
Conclusion In conclusion, the FIQ is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring functional disability in Turkish patients with fibromiyalgia. In addition, our study suggest that FIQ is more significant than HAQ in correlations with clinical symptoms in patients with fibromiyalgia.