The impact of stress and earthquake-related trauma on fibromyalgia: a longitudinal study

TL;DR

This study shows that earthquake-related trauma worsens fibromyalgia symptoms and quality of life, especially for those who lost homes or family.

Contribution

The study longitudinally examines the impact of earthquake trauma on fibromyalgia severity, a novel focus in FM research.

Findings

FM symptoms improved over six months post-earthquake, but trauma levels remained strongly correlated with symptom severity.

Participants who experienced home or family loss had more severe fibromyalgia symptoms.

New stress factors after the earthquake did not significantly affect symptom progression.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and psychological symptoms. While psychological trauma is known to affect FM severity, the impact of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, remains insufficiently studied.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of earthquake-related trauma on fibromyalgia severity and quality of life.

A total of 100 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia per the American College of Rheumatology 2016 criteria were enrolled. All participants experienced the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey. Disease activity and quality of life were assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) at 1 and 6 months post-earthquake. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was employed to measure psychological trauma levels. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficients.

FIQ scores significantly improved from 1 month (74.97 ± 20.15) to 6 months (67.25 ± 16.39) post-earthquake (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was found between IES-R and FIQ scores at 1 month (r = 0.636, p < 0.01) and 6 months (r = 0.411, p < 0.01). Subgroups with home or family loss showed more pronounced FIQ scores, while groups exposed to new stress factors did not show significant changes over time (p = 0.307).

This study demonstrates that earthquake-related trauma exacerbates fibromyalgia symptoms, highlighting the necessity of integrating psychological and stress management interventions in the treatment of FM, particularly in disaster-affected regions.