Effort testing in patients with fibromyalgia and disability incentives
R O Gervais1, A S Russell, P Green
1Department of Rheumatic Diseases, University of Alberta, Canada. rgervais@powersurfr.com
Objective:
To examine whether symptom exaggeration is a factor in complaints of cognitive dysfunction using 2 new validated instruments in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).
Methods:
Ninety-six patients with FM and 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were administered 2 effort or symptom validity tests designed to detect exaggerated memory complaints as part of a battery of psychological tests and self-report questionnaires.
Results:
A large percentage of patients with FM who were on or seeking disability benefits failed the effort tests. Only 2 patients with FM who were working and/or not claiming disability benefits and no patient with RA scored below the cutoffs for exaggeration of memory difficulties.
Conclusion:
This study illustrates the importance of assessing for exaggeration of cognitive symptoms and biased responding in patients with FM presenting for disability related evaluations.
