Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome have Effects on Pain Grade

Abstract To define different pain grades in individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and investigate the effects of pain degree on disease impact, kinesiophobia, pain-related concerns and quality of life. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with a total of 93 female individuals with FMS. The individuals with FMS were grouped according to different pain grades using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Clinical impact was assessed among these groups in terms of the following outcome measures: disease impact, kinesiophobia, pain-related concerns and quality of life. Of the individuals with FMS, 30 were included in the mild pain group, 13 in the bothersome pain group, and 50 in the high-impact pain group. There were significant differences between these three groups in terms of disease impact (p<0.001), kinesiophobia (p<0.001), pain-related concerns (p=0.017), the physical component of quality of life (p=0.007)and the mental component of quality of life (p<0.001). Disease impact, kinesiophobia and pain-related concern levels were higher in the high-impact pain group than in the mild and bothersome pain groups. The physical and mental component score of quality of life was lower in the high-impact pain group than in the mild group. Individuals with FMS with different pain grades differ in terms of disease impact, kinesiophobia levels, pain-related concerns and quality of life levels. The differentiation of pain grades may be important for the evaluation process and specific treatment planning.