Clinical, psychological and quality of life differences in fibromyalgia patients from secondary and tertiary healthcare.

Background: The 'funnel effect' of Fibromyalgia (FM) assumes that as patients access healthcare services, they present greater severity and a more complex clinical situation than individuals with FM from the general population, but the studies comparing patients treated in different levels of healthcare are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse the 'funnel effect' hypothesis by comparing patients from secondary and tertiary healthcare services.

Methods: A cross-sectional sample of female patients was selected in secondary (rheumatology practices - RP) and in tertiary healthcare (chronic pain clinics - CPC).

The impact of Fibromyalgia on health-related quality of life in patients according to age.

Previous studies show controversial results regarding the influence of age on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with Fibromyalgia (FM). While some studies suggest that elderly patients have a worse HRQOL when compared with younger patients, others did not find differences according to age. The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of FM on HRQOL as far as patients' age is concerned.

Health-related quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: clinical and psychological factors associated.

The objective of the study was to analyse the impact of fibromyalgia (FM) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and to identify clinical and psychological factors associated with the disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted with adult Portuguese women with FM. Analysed data were demographic, clinical and psychological variables and HRQOL: SF-36 and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).