title: Growing old with fibromyalgia: factors that predict physical function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fibromyalgia, a persistent, widespread pain condition, significantly limits physical function, threatening an older adult's health and ability to live independently.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to identify predictors of physical function in older adults living with fibromyalgia and to examine the influence of resilience on the relationship between fibromyalgia pain and physical function.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive correlational, cross-sectional design using mailed questionnaires to analyze relationships between health-related variables and physical function in a convenience sample of community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia (n = 224; age M = 62.1 years, SD = 6.75 years). Multiple regression was used to identify a priori predictors of physical function; hierarchical multiple regression was used to examine resilience as a moderator of pain and physical function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample was predominantly women, Caucasian, married, well educated, had moderate levels of income and tangible social support, and had low levels of physical function. Three-fourths were overweight or obese. Despite impaired physical function (Late Life Function and Disability Index, M = 51.5/100, SD = 9) and moderate levels of pain (Numeric Rating Scale, M = 5.47/10, SD = 2.6), resilience was moderately high (Resilience Scale, M = 137/175, SD = 20). An eight-variable disablement-based model accounted for 48% of variance in physical function: age, income, education, depressive symptoms, body mass index, and physical activity accounted for 31%; pain added 14%; and resilience contributed an additional 3%. Resilience was not a moderator of fibromyalgia pain and physical function; resilience did contribute uniquely to physical function variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resilience, a novel variable in fibromyalgia research, was a unique predictor of physical function. Further research is needed to learn more about the relationships between resilience, fibromyalgia impact, and the aging process.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing-Missoula Campus, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA. ltorma@montana.edu
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Torma
authors.forename: Gail M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Houck
authors.forename: Gail M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wagnild
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Messecar
authors.forename: Kim Dupree
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012919:Social Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires