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A bio‐psychosocial evaluation of ten adolescents with fibromyalgia
Author(s) -
Vandvik IH,
Forseth KØ
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1994.tb13135.x
Subject(s) - fibromyalgia , medicine , juvenile chronic arthritis , psychosocial , juvenile , arthritis , chronic pain , physical therapy , psychiatry , clinical psychology , biology , genetics
A comprehensive assessment of 10 adolescents (mean age 15.7 years) fulfilling the ACR criteria for fibromyalgia, disclosed that 3 patients also had juvenile chronic arthritis. Based on semi‐structured psychiatric interviews, testing and family assessments, 6 of the patients had a psychiatric diagnosis (over anxious and/or depressive disorders). The pain scores for the group (mean 5.0, SD 1.5) were significantly higher than for a comparison group of patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (mean 2.5, SD 1.7), ( p < 0.01). Average IQ was normal (mean 102.3, SD 13.9), but striving for achievement and high parental expectations were evident in 8 families. Seven of the mothers and 3 of the fathers had chronic diseases. The frequency of individual and family stress indicates a need for psychosocial assessment and counselling soon after onset of symptoms. This study also serves as a reminder that the diagnosis of juvenile chronic arthritis does not exclude fibromyalgia.