Psychological Consequences of Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Systematic Review Study

Abstract

Context: Fibromyalgia is a debilitating syndrome characterized by scattered and multifaceted musculoskeletal pain, the presence of multiple and unstable points sensitive to pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and muscle inflexibility, which were damaged during mental health by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, the present review study was conducted to investigate the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with fibromyalgia. Data Sources: In this review study, published articles on the psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in fibromyalgia patients in 2020 (February) and 2021 (July) were reviewed. To access relevant scientific documents, the keywords COVID-19, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Mental Health, Chronic Illness, and Psychological Anxiety in the titles and abstracts of articles published in reputable international scientific databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, were searched and all related English-language articles were listed. Results: The studies showed that patients with fibromyalgia had high levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Variables such as age, gender, low level of education, sleep quality, marital status, financial status, and loneliness were associated with psychological distress and the exacerbation of symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. In contrast, social support and the use of effective coping strategies led to improved quality of life and mental health of patients. Conclusions: According to the results of studies, patients with chronic pain, including fibromyalgia patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, experienced problems in mental health, quality of life, social relationships, and sleep quality, which caused recurrence of the disease and increased anxiety and depression in them.