RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIBROMYALGIA AND SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic neurological syndrome that involves the four quadrants of the body and the axial skeleton. It is a rheumatic disease that does not involve inflammation. The central mechanism of this pathology is changes in neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. It is characterized by diffuse, chronic pain, usually associated with tender points. To analyze the presence of depressive disorders and anxiety in individuals with fibromyalgia. An integrative literature review was conducted. This work was including literature reviews or observational studies that have analyzed the relationship between depression and/or anxiety and the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, published in the last ten years (2015 to 2025), in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. A search was carried out in the PubMed, SciELO, PEDro, and LILAcs databases, using the combination of the following descriptors: “fibromyalgia”, “anxiety”, and “depression”. The Boolean operator AND was used to combine words. Nine studies were included that investigated the relationship between fibromyalgia and psychopathological manifestations, highlighting the prevalence and correlation of anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as their impact on quality of life, functionality, and prognosis. The findings indicate a high frequency of these symptoms in FM patients, with significant clinical repercussions. Studies show that anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in fibromyalgia, influencing symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. This interaction reinforces the need for a multidimensional therapeutic approach, with assessment of affective symptoms and the inclusion of psychological and psychiatric strategies in comprehensive care.