THU0715-HPR ASSESSMENT OF SELF-CARE AGENCY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH FIBROMYALGIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background Fibromyalgia is a condition of high prevalence, which causes physical discomfort, mental distress and impairment of social relationships. Self-care may be a relevant factor to improve the quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia, since it is related to the act of empowerment, leading individuals to have dominion over their own life. Objectives To assess self-care agency of individuals with fibromyalgia and verify its association with symptoms, quality of life and sociodemographic variables. Methods The study included 40 women, aged between 19 and 59 years, with fibromyalgia according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria, and elementary education. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the School of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo. Informed consent was obtained from all study participants. Sociodemographic and clinical data (age, civil status, educational level, social status and disease duration) were collected. Self-care was measured with the Appraisal Self-Care Agency Scale-Revised, pain with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), severity of symptoms with the Symptom Severity (SS) Scale, and quality of life with the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). In data analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient was used for parametric data, and the Spearman correlation coefficient was used for non-parametric data. The level of significance adopted was 5%. Results Moderate values were found for self-care agency (52,75 ± 10,25), VAS pain (5,84 ± 2,16), WPI (13,32 ± 3,78) and SS (9,30± 1,68). Severe impact on quality of life was found with the FIQR (63,98 ± 17,26). Additionally, significant correlations of self-care agency with social status (r=0,391), function (r=-0,338), overall impact (r=-0,315), symptoms domains (r=-0,332) and total score (r=-0,375) of the FIQR were observed. Conclusion The study suggests that individuals with fibromyalgia have a moderate level of self-care agency, and there is a weak association of self-care with quality of life and social status.