SAT0193 THE USE OF A SYMPTOM CHECKLIST TO RECOGNISE PATIENTS WITH COMORBID FIBROMYALGIA ON A BACKGROUND OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are both characterised by non-specific symptoms such as pain and fatigue. To make diagnosis even more challenging, fibromyalgia is overrepresented in the SLE population. Objectives: To identify which symptoms can discriminate between patients with comorbid FM and patients without comorbid FM in the SLE population, using a routinely distributed questionnaire. Methods: Patients with SLE (n=88) completed a Multi-Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) [1] and the 2011 FM Criteria questionnaire [2]. FM status was determined using the 2016 modification of the 2010/2011 FM criteria [3]. The MDHAQ contains a 60-item symptom checklist section, giving a score of 0-60. Patients with complete data were analysed for specific symptoms that were discriminating for FM using student’s t test with Bonferroni correction. Results: SLE patients with FM reported a higher prevalence of positive responses for every symptom except for ‘dark or bloody stools’ and ‘burning in sexual organs’. Nineteen symptoms demonstrated a significant difference between those with and without FM. The most discriminating symptoms were muscle pain, swelling (of hands, ankles and in other joints), back pain, neck pain, problems with thinking and dry mouth (all p Conclusion: The symptom checklist section of the MDHAQ can provide clues that help discriminate between SLE patients with and without FM. Clinicians can find valuable information in the specific symptoms experienced by the patient, as well as the overall number of symptoms. Grouping the discriminatory symptoms together in the questionnaire may assist clinicians to consider the diagnosis of FM more easily in patients with SLE.