Cross-sectional evaluation of socioeconomic and clinical factors and the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: The fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) relates to the functional capacity, professional situation, psychological disorders, and physical symptoms, and can identify the factors that determine the impact of the syndrome and characteristics of its carriers; the higher the score, the greater the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of fibromyalgia on the quality of life of individuals with fibromyalgia, who were categorized according to the FIQ during the coronavirus disease pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an institution of higher education in Taquara, RS, Brazil. METHODS: A quantitative study was carried out, with the application of a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, and the FIQ in 163 Brazilian individuals with a medical diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Data were collected using SurveyMonkey software. RESULTS: Of the female carriers, 98.2% were living in urban areas, working, and under pharmacological and complementary treatment. The FIQ results showed that seven of the 10 items had the maximum score. The items “physical function” and “feel good” had intermediate scores, and the item “missed work” had a low score. The average total score was 79.9 points, indicating that fibromyalgia had a severe impact on the participants’ lives. A severe impact of fibromyalgia was observed in 61.3% of the participants, a moderate impact in 30.7%, and a low impact in 8%. CONCLUSION: The survey findings suggest a severe impact in the majority of the Brazilian fibromyalgic population.