Interplay between cognitive dysfunction and central sensitization symptoms in women with fibromyalgia: Clinical...

This study aimed to investigate the association between central sensitization (CS) symptoms and both subjective and objective cognitive functioning in women with fibromyalgia (FM), considering the potential influence of disease severity and affective symptoms.

This cross-sectional study was completed with 120 female patients diagnosed with FM according to the 2016 ACR criteria. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was used CS symptoms, the Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD-6) Questionnaire for perceived cognitive dysfunction (CD), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for objective cognitive performance, and the HADS for depression and anxiety. The predictors of cognitive performance and the role of CS symptoms were investigated using regression models and mediator analysis.

The mean (SD) scores for the SCD-6 and MoCA were 20.98 (7.23) and 22.11 (3.59), respectively, and CD was present in 36.7% of patients (MoCA <21). Regression models revealed that years of education was the strongest predictor of MoCA (p < .001), with CSI's contribution being minimal (p = .902). In contrast, symptom severity and CSI were the strongest predictors of SCD-6 score (R² = 0.32). In the mediator analysis, it was found that symptom severity partially mediated the relationship between CSI and SCD-6, and the indirect effect was significant (B = 0.1056, 95% CI [0.0379-0.1782]).

Subjective cognitive complaints are closely linked to CS symptoms in FM. This relationship appears to be partially mediated by symptom severity, highlighting the importance of cognitive assessment and somatic symptom management in routine clinical care.