Abstract
ABSTRACT The fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition whose etiology remains unknown and no treatment has satisfactory levels of success. A meta-analysis has identified a distinct Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical profile between FM female patients and healthy controls, and differences between FM and other chronic pain condition with clear etiology have also been found. However, heterogeneity in this population has been suggested in several studies. We aim to assess clinical aspects in FM patients, based on personality psychopathology characteristics, in order to explore heterogeneity and the existence of core common aspects. In this cross-sectional study, a relatively homogeneous sample of 56 female FM patients (M age = 45.95, SD age = 9.39) was assessed through MMPI-2. A K-Means cluster analysis identified two clusters, one (n = 24) with clinically significant levels in Negative Emotionality and Introversion scales. Subsequent MANOVAs identified important features of this cluster on several MMPI-2 dimensions. Moreover, several dimensions are clinically elevated in both clusters. In conclusion, the combination of psychopathological negative emotionality, interpersonal isolation, and low hedonic capacity, in a group of patients, has implications for the daily living and treatment of FM patients, and several core aspects of FM need to be addressed.
Highlights
The fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition whose etiology remains unknown and no treatment has satisfactory levels of success
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain, which is frequently associated with fatigue, sleep disorder, other functional somatic syndromes, mental and physical disorders, as well as disability and diminished quality of life
A recent meta-analysis focused on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) has shown that female FM patients have a psychopathology profile significantly different than the profile of healthy volunteers (Novo, Gonzalez, Peres, & Aguiar, 2017a, 2017b)
Summary
The fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic widespread pain condition whose etiology remains unknown and no treatment has satisfactory levels of success. A meta-analysis has identified a distinct Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) clinical profile between FM female patients and healthy controls, and differences between FM and other chronic pain condition with clear etiology have been found. Heterogeneity in this population has been suggested in several studies. A central sensitization phenomena has been associated to FM (Ablin et al, 2012; Arnold et al, 2016) the etiopathology of FM remains unknown (Thieme, Mathys, & Turk, 2017) Some authors conceptualize this syndrome as part of a group of affective spectrum disorders (e.g., Arnold et al, 2004), as it has a high comorbidity with psychiatric disorders. It acknowledged that the FM patients are probably a heterogeneous group regarding personality and psychopathology profiles
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
