Quality of life and psychological assessment in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: prospective observational study

Introduction: Chronic pain patients who undergo to stressful events may experience worsening in pain, sleep, and quality of life (QoL). The primary objective this observational study was compare QoL sleep parameters before after the COVID-19 lockdown with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). psychological impact also assessed, as well emotional pandemic its correlations patient socio-demographics. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years FMS diagnosed according ACR (American College Rheumatology) 2016 Criteria at least one pre-pandemic evaluation were included. disturbances analyzed by comparing scores on Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQ-R), 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) first Italy (March May 2020). Psychological investigated via a 52-item survey daily changes management during Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) tool onset period lockdown. Questionnaire responses correlated patients’ Results: Questionnaires submitted email 54 patients; 37/54 (63.7%) returned them. showed no statistically significant worsening. However, revealed that 3 out 5 feared very much for their family members’ lives disclosed 72.7% distress. Conclusions: While questionnaire sample patients, investigation moderate/severe distress not detected commonly used tests FMS.