Neuropsychological assessment of patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate associations among symptoms of depression, anxiety, pain perception and cognitive impairment in patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. We evaluated 32 women volunteers with a diagnosis offibromyalgia based on the criteria of the ACR. The control group was matched to the patient group for age, schooling andincome. The volunteers were submitted to a neuropsychological battery focused on Memory, Attention, Executive Functions,Perceived Pain, Anxiety and Depression. Anxiety was more relevant than depression in the group of women with fibromyalgia,the perception of pain was very high and cognitive impairment was more evident in executive functions, especially planningand inhibitory control. Memory and attention were more impaired in the fibromyalgia group, especially on tasks that requireexecutive functions. Patients with fibromyalgia seem to be less efficient in tasks related to executive functions