[The association of fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus change the presentation and severity of both diseases?]

Abstract

Introduction: The association of fibromyalgia (FM) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been investigated, with conflicting results regarding the impact of a condition on the other.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of FM in a sample of patients with SLE treated at the Hospital Complex of Sorocaba (CHS) and the impact of FM in SLE activity and quality of life, as well as of SLE in FM.

Material and methods: Descriptive and correlational study. Patients who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE and/or FM were included. The total sample was divided into three groups: FM/SLE (patients with association of SLE and FM), SLE (SLE patients only) and FM (FM patients only). The following variables were used: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), activity index of SLE (SLEDAI), Indices of Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia 2010 (SSI end GPI) and SF-36.

Results: The prevalence of patients with FM among SLE patients was 12%. FIQ showed no difference between groups, indicating that SLE did not affect the impact caused by FM alone. The presence of FM in SLE patients did not influence the clinical activity of this disease. A strong impact of FM on the quality of life in patients with SLE was observed; the opposite was not observed.

Conclusions: The prevalence of FM observed in SLE patients is 12%. The presence of FM adversely affects the quality of life of patients with SLE.

Keywords: Association; Associação; Atividade clínica; Clinical activity; Fibromialgia; Fibromyalgia; Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico; Qualidade de vida; Quality of life; Systemic lupus erythematosus.