The effect of earthquake on fibromyalgia: a comparison of patients on medication and without medication

Gulsah Yasa Ozturk; Neval Bozok Arat; Asena Ayca Ozdemir; Ibrahim Bashan; Burhan Fatih Kocyigit

doi:10.1007/s00296-024-05605-5

The effect of earthquake on fibromyalgia: a comparison of patients on medication and without medication

Rheumatol Int. 2024 May 9. doi: 10.1007/s00296-024-05605-5. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Gulsah Yasa Ozturk¹, Neval Bozok Arat¹, Asena Ayca Ozdemir², Ibrahim Bashan², Burhan Fatih Kocyigit³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Research and Training Hospital, Adana, Türkiye.
² Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Türkiye.
³ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Research and Training Hospital, Adana, Türkiye. bfk2701@hotmail.com.

PMID: 38722331
DOI: 10.1007/s00296-024-05605-5

Abstract

Introduction / objectives: Stressful events like earthquakes might worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia, although the influence of medications on these consequences is yet uncertain. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of an earthquake on the symptoms of fibromyalgia and evaluate the impacts of medications used to treat fibromyalgia on the clinical picture.

Method: Ninety-five fibromyalgia patients were enrolled in a comparative study and divided into two groups: medication and non-medication. Three subcategories of medication groups were established: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and gabapentinoid drugs (GDs). Before and after the earthquake, clinical evaluations were conducted using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Jenkins Sleep Rating Scale (JSS). Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the scores before and after the earthquake and evaluate the differences between the groups.

Results: Statistically significant increases were observed in FIQ, HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and JSS scores in the medication and non-medication groups before and after the earthquake comparisons (p < 0.05). Non-medication group reported significantly higher post-earthquake changes in FIQ, HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and JSS compared to the medication group (p < 0.05). While HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and JSS changes after the earthquake differed according to the drug subgroups (p < 0.05), no statistically significant difference was observed in FIQ values (p > 0.05). The highest scores were detected in the GD subgroup.

Conclusions: This study highlights the substantial impact of earthquakes on fibromyalgia patients. Medication use may assist in reducing the detrimental effects of stresses like earthquakes on fibromyalgia symptomatology. Future research with larger sample sizes and more extended follow-up periods is needed to explain these findings and optimize treatment regimens for fibromyalgia patients experiencing significant stressors.

Keywords: Disasters; Earthquakes; Emotional stress; Fibromyalgia; Psychological stresses.