The Relationship of Childhood Trauma, Dissociative Experiences and Depression with Pain in Female Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Cross- Sectional Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate childhood trauma (CT) and dissociative symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia and evaluate the relationship of these characteristics with pain intensity. Methods: Forty patients followed up with fibromyalgia diagnosis in the physical therapy and rehabilitation outpatient clinic; and as a control group, 38 healthy individuals who have similar age, gender, and educational status, were included in the study. A sociodemographic and clinical data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were administered to participants. Results: Emotional abuse, physical neglect, physical abuse, CTQ total, SDQ and DES scores were found to be significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group than the control group. Only the difference for SDQ scores remained significant when a comparison made between groups by controlling depression levels. Somatoform dissociation scores were found to be a significant predictor of pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia. Conclusion: Somatoform dissociative symptoms are found to be higher in patients with fibromyalgia than the control group. These symptoms may contribute to development and exacerbation of pain in fibromyalgia. Taking the dissociative symptoms into account have an important role in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia who have a frequent history of CT, so the treatment of these patients should be carried out in cooperation with psychiatrists.