Traumatic Events, Health Outcomes, and Health Care Use in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

AbstractObjective: Fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] is a chronic condition that is resistant to treatment and has no known cause. However, researchers have hypothesized a number of possible antecedents, including traumatic events. The present study examined the relationship between the occurrence and perceived severity of different traumatic events, health outcomes, and health care use in patients with FMS.Methods: Participants were 600 members [95% females, 85% Caucasian, mean age = 54] of a health maintenance organization who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess a patient's trauma history. The dependent variables included health status, sleep, pain, depression, and health care utilization.Results: Ninety-one percent of the participants reported experiencing at least one traumatic event prior to the onset of FMS symptoms. The average number of events experienced was 3.6 [SD = 2.3] and, using a 10-point scale, the average severity rating was 7.5 [SD = 2.4]. Analyses demonstrated modest support for a relationship between the recall of past traumatic events, their perceived severity, and several outcomes.Conclusions: While the effect sizes of the relationships between trauma and outcomes were small, results suggest that prospective studies including an examination of the occurrence and perceived severity of traumatic events may provide useful information about the etiology of FMS.KEYWORDS: Fibromyalgiatraumahealth statushealth care use