ACR Meeting Abstracts

ACR Meeting Abstracts

Abstract Number: 240

Whom Do Patients with Fibromyalgia Turn to for Emotional Support?

Robert Katz1, Jessica Polyak Wokurka 2 and Ben Small 2, 1Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 2Rheumatology Associates, Chicago, IL

Meeting: 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting

Keywords:

Session Information

Date: Sunday, November 10, 2019

Session Title: Fibromyalgia & Other Clinical Pain Syndromes Poster

Session Type: Poster Session (Sunday)

Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM

Background/Purpose: Fibromyalgia patients often have intense symptoms, especially pain and fatigue. We asked them in an in-office questionnaire whom they turn to for emotional support.

Methods: One hundred and fifteen fibromyalgia patients completed the questionnaire concerning emotional support. 

Results: See Chart

Conclusion: Fibromyalgia patients most often find emotional support from their spouse (63%), but also frequently from friends (57%). They less commonly turn to professional support (21%) for their stressful symptoms. Fibromyalgia likely puts a significant strain on relationships and quite possibly fibromyalgia patients should be encouraged to receive professional support. Rheumatologists should help fibromyalgia patients find professional help for the emotional stress of their somatic symptoms.

Disclosure: R. Katz, None; J. Polyak Wokurka, None; B. Small, None.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Katz R, Polyak Wokurka J, Small B. Whom Do Patients with Fibromyalgia Turn to for Emotional Support? [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019; 71 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/whom-do-patients-with-fibromyalgia-turn-to-for-emotional-support/. Accessed July 1, 2022.

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