Background/Purpose: In a previous study, we showed that the subjective item assessing cognitive impairment (SSS-Cog) for fibromyalgia (FM) did not correlate with objective cognitive measures. In the current study we describe two modifications designed to enhance this correlation: extending the current SSS-cog scale from 0-3 to 1-5, and a new questionnaire that specifically targets cognitive impairments associated with FM.

Methods: Sixty-two FM patients underwent a computerized cognitive assessment battery. FM symptoms were assessed on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ); the Widespread Pain Index (WPI); the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), the new SSS-Cog scale ranging from 1 to5, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the new cognitive questionnaire developed by the authors.

Results: Significant correlations were found between the new SSS-Cog scale, the global cognitive score and all indices [Global Score r= -. 532, p= .00; Indices: Memory r= -.305, p= .01; Executive function r = -.514, p= .00; Attention r = -.471, p= .00; Processing Speed r = -.468, p= .00; Motor Skills r= -.495, p= .00]. Significant correlations were found between the questionnaire items developed by the authors and the global cognitive score and all indices except the memory index [Global Score r= -. 522, p= .00; Indices: Memory r= -.163, p= .212; Executive function r= -.477, p= .00; Attention r= -.439, p= .00; Processing Speed r= -.496, p= .00; Motor Skills r= -.532, p= .00].

Conclusion: Given the simplicity of the extending scale, we suggest incorporating this modification into the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) FM diagnostic criteria.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/a-modified-version-of-the-2016-acr-fibromyalgia-criteria-cognitive-items-results-in-stronger-correlation-between-subjective-and-objective-measures-of-cognitive-impairment/