The Perception of Female Smokers with Fibromyalgia on the Effects of Smoking on Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Toby N. Weingarten, Ann Vincent, Connie A. Luedtke, Timothy J. Beebe, Tasha L. Welch, Elisa Y. Chong, Darrell R. Schroeder, David O. Warner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Smokers with fibromyalgia have greater pain intensity and function impairment compared to nonsmokers. Patients’ perceptions of interactions between smoking and fibromyalgia symptoms have not been described. The primary aim of this study was to report the perceptions of female smokers with fibromyalgia on how smoking affects symptoms. Methods: Forty-eight daily smokers with fibromyalgia enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Fibromyalgia Treatment Center completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 and a Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Smoking Survey which queried how smoking directly affected fibromyalgia symptoms (eg, pain, tiredness/fatigue, stiffness, nervousness/anxiety, depression/blueness, irritability, concentration, and overall) or indirectly as a coping mechanism. Results: The majority of subjects reported smoking had no direct effect on fibromyalgia physical symptoms (pain [60% reported no effect], fatigue [56%], stiffness [81%]) but direct improvement of emotional symptoms (anxiety [62% reported improvement], irritability [64%]). The majority of subjects used smoking to cope with pain (69%) via distraction (83%) and relaxation (77%), lessening emotional distress by reducing a sense of frustration (83%) or sadness (54%) because of pain, and as a justification for resting vis-à-vis “smoke breaks” (69%). Thirty-one smokers were mildly and 17 moderately/severely dependent on tobacco, and no difference in fibromyalgia impact score (P = 0.70), pain (P = 0.39), depression (P = 0.20), and anxiety (P = 0.64) scores were detected, but more moderately/severely dependent subjects reported smoking improved pain (50% vs. 17%, P = 0.04). Discussion: Smokers with fibromyalgia reported smoking helped to cope with fibromyalgia pain but generally did not directly ameliorate fibromyalgia physical symptoms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1054-1063
Number of pages10
JournalPain Practice
Volume16
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2016

Keywords

  • chronic pain
  • coping strategies
  • fibromyalgia
  • perception
  • tobacco use

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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