Comparision of pressure pain threshold functional level and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia patients and asymptomatic individuals without rheumatologic disease

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the pressure pain threshold, functional level and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia and asymptomatic individuals without any rheumatologic disease. Material and Methods: Thirty-two cases with the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (mean age 46.31 ± 9.60 years, the mean BMI 27.01 ± 4.63 kg/m2) at the Department of Rheumatology, Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty and 34 age, sex, body mass index (BMI) matched asymptomatic individuals without rheumatologic disease (mean age 46.76 ± 6.29 years, the mean BMI was 26.95 ± 4.15 kg/m2) were included in this study. The sociodemographic characteristics of the cases were questioned. Pressure pain threshold of the subjects evaluated by pressure algometry, shoulder muscle strength evaluated by manual hand held dynamometer, grip strength assessed by handgrip dynamometer, shoulder press and chest press endurances assessed by stationary machine. Activities of daily living were measured by the Miliken Daily Living Activities Scale, physical activity levels measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the quality of life measured by Nottingham Health Profile Questionnaire. Symptoms and function of the individuals measured by Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Results: The mean age of fibromyalgia cases was 46.31 ± 9.60 years and the mean BMI was 27.01 ± 4.63 kg/m2. The. Trapezius lower division pressure pain threshold, shoulder external rotation muscle strengths, hand grip strength, shoulder and chest press endurances, pain fatigue, fibromyalgia impact questionaire scores, activities of daily living, physical activity level and quality of life among asymptomatic individuals without rheumatologic disease and cases with fibromyalgia showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: Trapezius lower part pressure pain threshold, shoulder external muscle strength, grip strength, functional status, physical activity level, activities of daily living and quality of life of individuals with fibromyalgia had statistically significant difference compared to asymptomatic individuals without rheumatologic disease. It was found that the physical performance, function and quality of life of fibromyalgia cases were more dysfunctional than the asymptomatic patients without rheumatic disease.