Fibromyalgia versus rheumatoid arthritis:: A comparison of psychological disturbance and life satisfaction

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the intensity of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness in fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients and to determine the differences of life satisfaction in these patient groups. Methods: Twenty patients with RA, 20 patients with FMS, and 20 healthy control subjects were included in this study. All the subjects were female. The Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI], and Beck Hopelessness Scale [BHS] were used to evaluate psychological disturbance, and the life satisfaction index [LSI] was used to measure psychological well-being. Results: The mean BDI scores were higher in both the FMS and RA groups, trait anxiety scores in FMS and state anxiety scores in RA were significantly higher compared with the control group. The mean BHS score was higher in the RA group. The LSI results were similar in FMS and RA but significantly lower than the control group. The BDI was found to be correlated with functional status which was measured by health assessment questionnaire in the RA group. There was a negative correlation between LSI and STAI in both the FMS and RA groups but LSI was correlated with BDI only in the RA group. Conclusion: In conclusion, life satisfaction was similar in RA and FMS patients although RA patients were more disabled because of the arthritic disease. Both depression and anxiety were predictors of low life satisfaction in RA, but in FMS only anxiety had a negative role on life satisfaction.