What is the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on temperament and character in patients with fibromyalgia?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to assess a group of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and control subjects using the personality questionnaire proposed by Cloninger and to determine possible changes in the Italian version of the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised patterns of patients with FM after therapy with serotoninergic antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]).


METHODS
Sixty patients with FM filled out the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised and Beck Depression Inventory before and after 6-month therapy with SSRIs (escitalopram 10 mg, fluoxetine 20 mg, or paroxetine 20 mg). A total of 80 age-, sex-, and education level-matched healthy subjects were selected as a control group.


RESULTS
Both in the pretreatment and posttreatment period, patients were found to have higher harm avoidance and lower self-directedness scores than healthy controls. In addition, harm avoidance and self-directedness were state and trait dependent.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptoms in patients with FM can be significantly decreased by treatment with SSRIs. A careful clinical assessment and study of personality profile is needed to identify patients with FM who may benefit from antidepressant pharmacologic therapy and specific psychotherapeutic interventions.
Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, Largo F. Vito 1, Rome 00168, Italy. mariannamazza@hotmail.com
Marianna
M
Mazza
Osvaldo
O
Mazza
Massimiliano
M
Pomponi
Marco
M
Di Nicola
Luca
L
Padua
Massimo
M
Vicini
Pietro
P
Bria
Salvatore
S
Mazza
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002605:Character; D015283:Citalopram / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010551:Personality / Q000187:drug effects*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult
D015283:Citalopram; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors