Cognitive functions, emotions and personality in woman with fibromyalgia

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue and cognitive difficulties. A person with FM suffers from pain diffused throughout the body, and accompanied by the feeling of exhaustion and concentration problems, which often impede even simple tasks. Many studies have shown that people with FM suffer from cognitive disorders, including memory disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between fibromyalgia and cognitive functioning (direct memory, arbitrary attention, learning processes), emotional functioning (anxiety and depression), personality traits, and interpersonal relationships. Material and methods: The sample in the study consisted of 60 women: 30 suffering from FM and 30 with other painful spinal disorders as a reference group. The following research tools were used: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), 10 Words Test, NEO-FFI, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Benton Visual Memory Test, and Flexibility and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES-IV). Results: Results indicate a poorer memory function in FM patients. NEO-FFI analyses showed that women suffering from fibromyalgia are more agreeable and conscientious than population and reference group. Fibromyalgia patients were also more depressive and anxious than the reference group. Conclusions: In fibromyalgia patients, cognitive impairment in the field of direct memory was confirmed. There could be a specific type of personality in people who develop fibromyalgia; these people are more conscientious and agreeable than people in the reference group and the population. The presence and intensity of depressive symptoms correlate significantly with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Anxiety is a relatively constant feature of the personality of people with fibromyalgia. People suffering from fibromyalgia assess their family relationships equally well as those suffering from other painful spine disorders. The study underlines the importance of involving psychotherapy in the therapy of patients with fibromyalgia.