A comparison study of quality of life in women with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the quality of life scores of fibromyalgia patients with myofascial pain syndrome patients.

Method: Thirty-three fibromyalgia patients, 33 myofascial pain syndrome patients, and 33 age-matched controls completed Beck Depression Inventory and Short Form-36 questionnaires.

Results: Compared with myofascial pain syndrome patients, fibromyalgia patients reported significantly more often fatigue, numbness, tingling, gastrointestinal discomfort, and poor sleep. The mean scores on VAS and on Beck Depression Inventory were significantly higher in fibromyalgia patients than myofascial pain syndrome patients. Patients with fibromyalgia had significantly poorer health than the patients with myofascial pain syndrome in pain, general health, vitality, and role emotional subscales.

Conclusions: The quality of life profile of fibromyalgia patients is quite different from those in the myosfascial pain syndrome group. Myofascial pain syndrome impacted mostly on physical health whereas fibromyalgia impacted on both physical and mental health.