A comparison of self-estimated symptoms and impact of disease in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To investigate self-assessed impairments and impact of fibromyalgia [FMS] in 86 patients and to compare the results with those from the 74 rheumatoid patients [RA] who attended a three-week inpatient course. Methods: Self-estimated symptoms as elicited using a multivariant questionnaire together with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Rimons' Brief Depression Scale, and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales were compared between the two cohorts. Results: Fibromyalgia patients identified significantly more pain, sleep disorders, daytime dozing, and difficulties in social activities, and were subjectively more depressive and anxious than RA patients. However, assessments of global health and ability to work in the two groups did not differ significantly, while RA patients' fitness and "functional ability" were assessed as slightly poorer. Conclusion: Fibromyalgia patients experienced more psychosocial problems and felt impairments equally or even more than RA patients. The role of these symptoms in the disability of FMS patients would also be reliably assessed in outcome measures.