Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt
2
Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt.
3
Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt, Assistant Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex clinical condition marked by widespread muscle and joint pain, tenderness, fatigue, disrupted sleep, and cognitive difficulties. The severity of these symptoms can vary greatly among patients, making the experience of living with fibromyalgia unpredictable and challenging. Aim: Assess self-reporting of symptoms’ severity and functional capacity among patients with fibromyalgia. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Three private support fibromyalgia groups on Facebook. Subjects: A convenience sample of 385 patients with fibromyalgia. Study tools: Two tools were utilized: (I) Symptom severity scale with attached demographic, clinical data sheet for patients with fibromyalgia, and (II)Revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire. Results: Among the participants, 90.9% were female, 34.1% aged from 30 to less than 40 years, 57.4% were married, and 48.0% had been diagnosed with FM for 5 to less than 10 years. (58.4%) of FM patients had reported severe symptom levels. Additionally, a significant positive moderate correlation was found between patients’ overall fibromyalgia symptoms’ severity and their overall functional capacity (r=0.465, and p=<0.001). Conclusion: Fibromyalgia patients reported severe FM symptoms and reduced functional capacity, with a strong correlation between both of them. Recommendations: The nursing staff should focus on an individualized care plan for FM patients, prioritizing self-reported symptom severity and functional limitations to enhance symptom management, functional capacity, and patient satisfaction.
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