High Disease Activity Negatively Impacts Central Sensitization and Body Awareness in Fibromyalgia Patients

Strategic Insights -

Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties, affects millions of people worldwide. Research has consistently shown that fibromyalgia patients experience heightened sensitivity to pain, which can be exacerbated by various factors, including disease activity. A recent study published in the Ahi Evran Medical Journal aimed to investigate the influence of disease activity on central sensitization and body awareness in fibromyalgia patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 45 patients with fibromyalgia, with a mean age of 45.9 years and a median disease duration of 3 years.
  • Disease activity was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), with higher scores indicating high disease activity.
  • Central sensitization was evaluated using the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), and body awareness levels were assessed using the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ).
  • Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure pain severity, with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity.
  • Simple linear regression analyses were used to determine which independent variables could explain disease activity.
  • The study found a moderate correlation between the FIQ score and VAS score (r=0.445, R2=0.198, p=0.002) and a high correlation between the FIQ score and CSI score (r=0.539, R2=0.291, p=0.001).
  • High disease activity was found to negatively impact central sensitization and body awareness in fibromyalgia patients.
  • Clinicians should consider a multimodal biopsychosocial perspective in addition to routine treatments for patients with high disease activity.

Statistics:

  • 45 patients with fibromyalgia participated in the study.
  • The mean age of the patient population was 45.9 years.
  • The median disease duration for the patients was 3 years.
  • The mean FIQ score was 53.4, and the median BAQ score was 90 points.
  • The median VAS score was 8 cm, and the median CSI score was 52 points.
  • 82.2% of patients had positive central sensitization.

Sources:

  • The Role of Disease Activity as a Determinant of Central Sensitivity and Body Awareness in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Ahi Evran Medical Journal, 2025,9(1):30-36.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.46332/aemj.1533118 (free access to journal article)
  • Yasemin Mirza, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN UNIVERSITESI (contact information for additional information)