Clinical Features and Psychologic Factors in Regional Soft Tissue Pain: Comparison with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

SUMMARYObjectives: Regional soft tissue pain [RSTP] is characterized by soft tissue pain involving one or limited contiguous sites, as well as one or more tender points [TPs]. Regional soft tissue pain and fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] have overlapping symptoms, but detailed comparison data are absent. In this study, we evaluated clinical features and psychological factors in RSTP and compared them with those in FMS and normal controls [NC].Methods: Ninety-one patients with RSTP and 630 patients with FMS who were consecutively seen in a university rheumatology clinic, as well as 166 healthy pain-free NC, were included in the study. Clinical and psychological features were evaluated by a protocol. Anxiety and depression were also assessed by Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] and Zung Depression Scale [ZDS], respectively.Results: All clinical and psychological features were significantly more common in RSTP than NC, with the exception of irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], global stress and dep...