Abstract

CASTEL, A. et al. Cognitive performance and memory complaints in chronic pain patients: with fibromyalgia versus without fibromyalgia. Rev. Soc. Esp. Dolor [online]. 2008, vol.15, n.6, pp.358-370. ISSN 1134-8046.

Aims. 1) To compare memory complaints and cognitive performance (verbal memory, attention and information processing) in chronic pain patients with and without fibromyalgia. 2) To compare those processes in patients with primary fibromyalgia and concomitant fibromyalgia. Subjetcs. One hundred and ten female patients [21-64 years oíd]. Mean age 47.6 years. 68 patients with fibromyalgia [28 with primary fibromyalgia, 40 with concomitant fibromyalgia] and 42 with others chronic pain conditions. Material and methods. Neuropsychological tests were individually performed. Memory complaints were assessed with the Memory Failures in Everyday Memory (MFE), memory with the Verbal Learning Test (TAVEC), attention and perceptual skills with the Toulouse-Piéron Test (TP) and interference with the Stroop Color and Word Test (STROOP). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was also applied. Results. No differences were obtained between groups in duration of pain, pain intensity, educational level and work oceupation. Neither difference was obtained between patients with fibromyalgia and without fibromyalgia in TAVEC, TP, STROOP and anxiety scale of the HADS. At the contrary, significant differences were obtained in memory complaints (MFE-FBM=100.4; MFE-NoFBM=77.9; F(l,106)=7,754, p<0,007) and depression (DepFBM=9,54; DepNoFBM=6,61; F(l,106)=9,770, p<0.002). No differences were obtained between patients with primary fibromyalgia and concomitant fibromyalgia. Depression was a significant variable related to performance in verbal memory and attention. Conclusions. 1) Patients with fibromyalgia explained more memory complaints than patients without fibromyalgia. 2) Patients with fibromyalgia don’t have a worse cognitive performance than patients without fibromyalgia. 3) No differences were found between patients with primary fibromyalgia and concomitant fibromyalgia. 4) Worse cognitive performance and more memory complaints were related to depression.

Keywords : chronic pain; fibromyalgia; cognitive performance; memory; attention.

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