Predictors of outcome in Fibromyalgia following 8-12 weeks of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a syndrome, characterized by widespread chronic pain. The impact of the disease is often wide-ranging in daily life. Due to the multicomponent nature of symptoms in fibromyalgia, familiarity with relevant predictors of multidisciplinary rehabilitation can optimize treatment effectiveness. Aim: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for fibromyalgia provided at Þraut Rehabilitation Center and to identify potential predictors of treatment outcome. Methods: A total of 212 patients entered and completed 8-12 weeks of treatment, and 152 of those returned follow-up after six to nine months. The outcome of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation was measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify possible predictors of treatment outcome, i.e., age, education, occupational status, pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and pain-anxiety. Results: The variables analyzed in the model, i.e., age, education, occupational status, pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and pain-anxiety, did not predict treatment outcome. Fibromyalgia symptoms improved significantly following the treatment, and 60% of the patients received a meaningful improvement. An increase in quality of life was significantly higher with patients with clinically significant depressive symptoms.Conclusion: The main findings show that no relevant predictive variables for outcome were identified. Fibromyalgia patients with moderate to severe symptom severity, can benefit from the 8 to 12 weeks multidisciplinary treatment provided at Þraut Rehabilitation Center, irrespective of their pre-treatment demographic and psychological status.