ACR Meeting Abstracts

ACR Meeting Abstracts

Abstract Number: 1869

Predictors of Fatigue in Fibromyalgia

Ann Vincent1, Mary O. Whipple2, Debra L. Barton3, Daniel J. Clauw4, David A. Williams5, Terry H. Oh6 and Loren L. Toussaint7, 1General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 3Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 4Anesthesiology/Internal Medicine (Rheum), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 5Chronic Pain & Fatigue Rsch Ctr, Univ of MI Hlth System-Lobby M, Ann Arbor, MI, 6Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 7Psychology, Luther College, Decorah, IA

Meeting: 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Keywords: , ,

Session Information

Title: Fibromyalgia and Soft Tissue Disorders

Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)

Background/Purpose: Previous research suggests that fatigue in chronic diseases is multifactorial and that fatigue in fibromyalgia is worse than fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Although fatigue along with widespread pain is a cardinal symptom in patients with fibromyalgia, the predictors of fatigue in fibromyalgia have not been comprehensively assessed. Our objective was to examine the predictors of fatigue cross-sectionally in patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Measures of fatigue, mood, pain, sleep, and autonomic symptoms were gathered from a random sample of 1303 patients with fibromyalgia identified through an existing fibromyalgia registry. Validated self-report questionnaires were mailed which included the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Medical Outcome Study Sleep Scale (MOS), Profile of Mood States – Short Form (POMS-SF), and Autonomic Symptom Profile (COMPASS). Eight hundred fifty-eight (66%) patients returned completed questionnaires. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression.

Results: The overall model fit was R2 = 0.44. The most significant predictors of fatigue were depression/dejection (β =-.326, p<.001), sleep problems index (β =.247, p<.001), pain severity (β =.182, p<.001), BMI (β =.148, p<.001), and autonomic symptoms (β =.126, p<.001). Neither age (p=.28) nor tension/anxiety (p=.88) were significant predictors of fatigue.

Conclusion: Cross-sectional results indicate that depression, sleep, pain severity, BMI, and autonomic symptoms are significantly associated with fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia. Among predictors of fatigue identified in this study, depression was the strongest predictor. If these results can be replicated in a longitudinal study, improving mood, sleep, pain, etc. could all be potential targets to decrease fatigue.

Disclosure:

A. Vincent,
None;

M. O. Whipple,
None;

D. L. Barton,
None;

D. J. Clauw,
None;

D. A. Williams,
None;

T. H. Oh,
None;

L. L. Toussaint,
None.

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