[Study of quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia: impact of a health education programme].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a programme of health education on the quality of life and frequency of attendance of persons with fibromyalgia.


METHODS
Community clinical trial with randomised allocation.


METHODS
Sant Joan Despí urban Health District (Barcelona), with a population of 13 282 inhabitants.


METHODS
67 women who attended our centre for consultation and were diagnosed with fibromyalgia by the Area Rheumatologist using the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (1990). They were distributed at random into control and intervention groups.


METHODS
Social and demographic variables (age, marital status, educational background, job situation), health variables (physical exercise taken, current treatment, symptoms evolution time) and frequency of attendance were gathered. The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) for measuring quality of life was administered. The presence of psychological malaise was determined through the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. After the intervention, which consisted of four health education sessions, the NHP was administered again and frequency of attendance was measured again.


RESULTS
The most important dimension on the NHP prior to intervention was pain (78.6 points), which was not modified either by physical exercise or the disease s time of evolution. Prevalence of psychological malaise was 64.6%. After the intervention there was a significant improvement in the pain dimension (P=.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Health education for people with fibromyalgia modifies their perception of quality of life and reduces their pain. In addition, this kind of activity increases understanding of illness and reduces dependence on the health services.
Bosch Romero
E
E
ABS Les Planes. Sant Joan Despí. DAP Baix Llobregat Centre. Institut Català de la Salut (ICS). Barcelona, Spain.
Sáenz Moya
N
N
Valls Esteve
M
M
Viñolas Valer
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors