Self-Reported Quality of Life, Treatment Effectiveness, Attitudes and Perceptions of Fibromyalgia Patients

OBJECTIVES: To assess FMS patients\u27 quality of life (QoL) and pain based on: patient perceptions of physicians\u27 attitudes, trust in physicians, invalidation, treatment type, and demographics. METHODS: An on-line survey was conducted via the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. OUTCOMES: The survey resulted in 670 (70.5%) usable responses. Invalidation, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), income, age, and education were significant predictors of QoL. Trust in physician, income, education, and number of referrals were significant predictors of pain. Use of CAM only was associated with lower pain, while use of pharmacologic medications and CAM was associated with higher QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Invalidation and trust in physicians may impact pain and QoL in FMS. The use of CAM or CAM with medications may improve pain and QoL