HIGHLIGHTS
Individuals with fibromyalgia experienced the impact of social isolation.
Chronic diseases are associated with higher levels of psychological stress.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have repercussions on pain and anxiety levels.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
In the context of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, individuals with chronic pain, as in fibromyalgia, experienced the impact of social isolation. Tus, considering the scarcity of studies that contemplate initial assessments of women with fibromyalgia before the pandemic period and that compare them with the pandemic context moment, the objective was to analyze the possible repercussions of the pandemic resulting from COVID-19 on the psychological symptoms, quality of life and pain.
METHODS:
A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational research with an exploratory and quantitative approach. Te sample was composed of 15 women with fibromyalgia for at least three months, aged between 43 and 55 years and with pain level above four on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Te Sociodemographic and Clinical Questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were used.
RESULTS:
On average, pain intensity during social isolation (8,40±1,50) and anxiety level (29,80±13,97) were higher than before the pandemic (6,06±1,62, p=0,001) and (22,33±9,69, p=0,006), respectively. In other words, the participants showed higher levels of anxiety and pain during the period of social isolation. Mean depressive symptoms and quality of life difered minimally, showing no statistical significance, with p=0.94 and p=0.46, respectively.
CONCLUSION:
The COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the increase in pain and anxiety levels during the pandemic period. However, other uncontrolled variables may have infuenced this result, such as resilience and family support, for example.
Keywords:
Coronavirus infection; COVID-19; Fibromyalgia; Mental health; Social isolation