Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20220043-en
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Original Article

Possible repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on women with fibromyalgia: longitudinal study

Possíveis repercussões da pandemia da COVID-19 em mulheres com fibromialgia: estudo longitudinal

Géssika Araújo de Melo; Marcela Laís Lima Holmes Madruga; Maria Beatriz Ribeiro de Oliveira; Nelson Torro

http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/2595-0118.20220043-en BrJP, vol.5, n3, p.195-199, 2022
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the context of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, individuals with chronic pain, as in fibromyalgia, experienced the impact of social isolation. Tus, considering the scarcity of studies that contemplate initial assessments of women with fibromyalgia before the pandemic period and that compare them with the pandemic context moment, the objective was to analyze the possible repercussions of the pandemic resulting from COVID-19 on the psychological symptoms, quality of life and pain.

METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational research with an exploratory and quantitative approach. Te sample was composed of 15 women with fibromyalgia for at least three months, aged between 43 and 55 years and with pain level above four on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Te Sociodemographic and Clinical Questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were used.

RESULTS: On average, pain intensity during social isolation (8,40±1,50) and anxiety level (29,80±13,97) were higher than before the pandemic (6,06±1,62, p=0,001) and (22,33±9,69, p=0,006), respectively. In other words, the participants showed higher levels of anxiety and pain during the period of social isolation. Mean depressive symptoms and quality of life difered minimally, showing no statistical significance, with p=0.94 and p=0.46, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the increase in pain and anxiety levels during the pandemic period. However, other uncontrolled variables may have infuenced this result, such as resilience and family support, for example.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Individuals with fibromyalgia experienced the impact of social isolation.  
  • Chronic diseases are associated with higher levels of psychological stress.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic may have repercussions on pain and anxiety levels.

Keywords

Coronavirus infection, COVID-19, Fibromyalgia, Mental health, Social isolation

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Diante do contexto da pandemia ocasionada pela COVID-19, os indivíduos com dor crônica, como na fibromialgia, experimentaram o impacto do isolamento social. Assim, considerando a escassez de estudos que contemplem avaliações iniciais de mulheres com fibromialgia antes do período de pandemia e que as comparem com o momento de contexto pandêmico, objetivou-se analisar as possíveis repercussões da pandemia decorrentes da COVID-19 em sintomas psicológicos, qualidade de vida e dor.

MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma pesquisa observacional descritiva, longitudinal, com abordagem exploratória e quantitativa. A amostra foi composta por 15 mulheres com fibromialgia a pelo menos três meses, com idades entre 43 e 55 anos e com nível de dor acima de quatro na Escala Analógica Visual (EAV). Foram utilizados o Questionário Sociodemográfico e Clínico, o Inventário Beck de Ansiedade (IBA), o Inventário Beck de Depressão (IBD) e o Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).

RESULTADOS: Em média, a intensidade da dor durante o isolamento social (8,40±1,50) e o nível de ansiedade (29,80±13,97) foram maiores do que antes da pandemia (6,06±1,62, p=0,001) e (22,33±9,69, p=0,006), respectivamente. Ou seja, as participantes mostraram maiores níveis de ansiedade e dor durante o período de isolamento social. A média dos sintomas depressivos e qualidade de vida diferiram minimamente, não demostrando significância estatística, com p=0,94 e p=0,46, respectivamente.

CONCLUSÃO: A pandemia da COVID-19 pode ter contribuído para o aumento das queixas de dor e ansiedade durante o período pandêmico. Entretanto, outras variáveis não controladas podem ter infuenciado nesse resultado, como resiliência e suporte familiar, por exemplo.

DESTAQUES

  • Indivíduos com fibromialgia experimentaram o impacto do isolamento social. 
  • Doenças crônicas estão associadas com maiores níveis de estresse psicológico.
  • A pandemia da COVID-19 pode repercutir nos níveis de dor e ansiedade.

Palavras-chave

COVID-19, Fibromialgia, Infecções por coronavírus, Isolamento social, Saúde mental

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Submitted date:
05/24/2021

Accepted date:
05/13/2022

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