Fibromyalgia Syndrome and geographical setting: The impact of this disorder in rural and urban areas

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there are significant differences between Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) patients who live in urban and rural areas and to analyze the correlation between the impact of the disease, Central Sensitization (CS) and pain sensitivity, including its possible correlation with the rest of the clinical variables in patients with FMS. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional correlational study. LOCATION: Rural and urban areas in Jaén (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Patients with FMS. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The outcome variables measured were the impact of FMS on daily life, Central sensitization CS, pain sensitivity, self-esteem, pain, Quality of Life (QoL), anxiety and depression, and sleep quality. Also, sociodemographic and clinical data, were collected. RESULTS: No differences were found between the groups for sociodemographic and clinical variables, except for educational level (p=0.01). Low-to-moderate significant association between the impact of FMS, CS and pain sensitivity were found (p<0.01). Low-to-strong significant associations were observed between the impact of FMS, CS and pain sensitivity with pain, QoL, anxiety and depression and sleep quality (p<0.01). Furthermore, a very strong association was found between impact of FMS and QoL (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: No differences were found between FMS rural/urban groups for sociodemographic and clinical variables, except for educational level. There was a significant association between the impact of FMS, CS and pain sensitivity in patients with FMS, regardless of their area of residence. Besides, a very strong association was found between Impact of FMS and QoL.