Association of coping responses with fibromyalgia tender points in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective, To determine the association between fibromyalgia (FM) tender po ints (TP) and psychological constructs in patients with systemic lupus eryt hematosus (SLE). Methods. One hundred seventy-three patients with SLE were examined for FM T P, and asked to complete 2 questionnaires at the same visit, the Health-Rel ated Hardiness Scale (HRHS), and the: Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale ( MUIS). Results. The examination of FM TP showed that 38.2% had no TP, 44.5% had 1- 10 TP, and 17.3% had greater than or equal to 11 TP. The mean +/- SD score of the HRHS was 155.6 +/- 19.7 (range 105.0-198.0; higher scores indicate g reater hardiness), and the MUIS was 85.3 +/- 18.7 (range 41.0-132.0; higher scores indicate uncertainty), There were significant associations between FM TP and HRHS (no TP 161.2 +/- 20.2, 1-10 TP 152.5 +/- 19.7, greater than or equal to 11 TP 151.0 +/- 15.8; p = 0.0108) and between FM TP and MUIS (n o TP 78.2 +/- 20.2, 1-10 TP 86.9 +/- 17.6, greater than or equal to 11 TP 9 5.8 +/- 14.7; p = 0.0001). Conclusion. This study shows a strong association between FM TP and uncerta inty or lack of "hardiness." We conclude that SLE patients with FM TP are l ess likely to be good "copers." Prospective studies to determine if "poor c oping" predicts FM in SLE are recommended. If the association between copin g and FM is causal, it will justify interventions to improve coping and sim ilar constructs, such as self-efficacy.