Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Cognitive Decline: The Role of Body Mass Index and Clinical Symptoms

Abstract

The high prevalence of obesity and overweight in fibromyalgia (FM) may be an important factor in the well-known cognitive deficits seen in the disorder. This study analyzed the influence of body mass index (BMI) and primary clinical symptoms of FM (pain, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression) on attention, memory, and processing speed in FM. Fifty-two FM patients and thirty-two healthy participants completed cognitive tasks assessing selective, sustained, and divided attention; visuospatial and verbal memory; and information processing speed. Furthermore, they were evaluated in terms of the main clinical symptoms of the disorder. FM patients showed a marked reduction of cognitive performance in terms of selective, sustained, and divided attention; visuospatial memory; and processing speed, but no group differences were observed in verbal memory. BMI negatively affects sustained and selective attention, verbal memory, and processing speed and is the main predictor of performance in these basic cognitive domains. Our findings confirm the presence of cognitive deficits with respect to attention and visual memory, as well as slower processing speed, in FM. Moreover, the results support a role of BMI in the observed cognitive deficits. Interventions increasing physical activity and promoting cognitive stimulation could be useful for strengthening cognitive function in FM patients.

Sex-Specific Association of Body Mass Index with Hippocampal Subfield Volume and Cognitive Function in Non-Demented Chinese Older Adults

“…A systematic review also supports our findings, revealing a negative association between overweight and the risk of cognitive impairment. BMI also negatively affects the cognitive performance of fibromyalgia patients [81]. A cohort study from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) supports the positive associations of overweight status with cognitive function in older adults, particularly in those with a higher plant-based diet index [10].…”

Mediation Effect of Pain on the Relationship between Kinesiophobia and Postural Control: Comparison and Correlations in Individuals with Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Asymptomatic Individuals—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) presents with widespread musculoskeletal complaints, such as pain, fatigue, stiffness, a sense of insufficient sleep, poor physical fitness, and psychological illnesses [ 1 , 2 ]. These factors can significantly impact individuals with FM, leading to increased disability and a decreased quality of life [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Chronic Pain: Clinical Updates and Perspectives

“…Personalized pain medicine remains a gap which needs to be overcome [ 48 ]. The person-centered medicine and personalized medicine in the areas of chronic pain research and management (including the cognitive, physical, affective, and behavioral domains) are necessary [ 46 , 49 ]. Authors point out the need for the fusion of these paradigms into a single new approach with the objective to avoid possible miscommunication, duplication of efforts, and ineffective treatment of chronic pain patients [ 47 ].…”

“…Thus, they are capable of committing to the treatment and can achieve better results [ 50 ]. It is crucial: (1) to establish clear and realistic therapeutic goals to motivate patients and increase their adherence to treatment, (2) to promote a good therapeutic alliance or rapport between the patient and the therapist, (3) to help patients to understand their responsibility in the treatment process, and (4) to ensure they are aware of the relevance of their implication to change the perspective from helplessness and despair to self-efficacy and personal self-control over the disorder [ 49 ]. Indeed, the perception of control and self-efficacy are issues to be addressed in any of the chronic pain treatments, because patients usually perceive pain as something uncontrollable, which generates low self-efficacy and hopelessness [ 51 ].…”

“…Therefore, active coping strategies must be promoted. Other elements such as postural and sleep hygiene, a proper diet, and regular and adapted physical exercise are further necessary to include in chronic pain treatment [ 5 , 49 , 53 ]. In addition, the involvement of patients´ relatives is vital for the success of the intervention, and the reinforcement of new, healthier behaviors and lifestyles on patients [ 54 ].…”