Prediction of Fear of COVID-19 in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Study of Psychosocial Factors Associated with Pain

Abstract

Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic generated a significant increase in anxiety and fear in the population, especially in those with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia. Although there is no evidence that fibromyalgia is a predictor of hospitalization or mortality associated with COVID-19, the infection can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms.Methods: this study focused on evaluating the ability of psychosocial pain factors, such as pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, impact of fibromyalgia, and kinesiophobia, to predict fear of COVID-19 in women with fibromyalgia. A quantitative, observational-analytical design was used, with a sample of 33 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Fear of COVID-19 was assessed through a questionnaire and scales were used to measure the predictor variables.Results: it was found that pain catastrophizing was the most significant predictor variable of fear of COVID-19. The correlation between pain catastrophizing and fear of COVID-19 was moderate, and the multiple regression model that included this variable predicted fear of COVID-19 with an adjusted R2 of 0.248.Conclusions: fear of COVID-19 in women with fibromyalgia is related to pain catastrophizing. This study suggests that pain catastrophizing may be an important factor as a predictor of fear in new studies associated with new outbreaks of this disease