Defense Date

7-10-2013

Graduation Date

Fall 2013

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Pharmacy Administration

School

School of Pharmacy

Committee Chair

Andrea R Pfalzgraf

Committee Member

Vincent Giannetti

Committee Member

Gibbs Kanyongo

Keywords

Complementary and alternative medicine, Fibromyalgia, Invalidation, Pain, Quality of life

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess FMS patients' quality of life (QoL) and pain based on: patient perceptions of physicians' attitudes, trust in physicians, invalidation, treatment type, and demographics.

METHODS: An on-line survey was conducted via the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed.

OUTCOMES: The survey resulted in 670 (70.5%) usable responses. Invalidation, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), income, age, and education were significant predictors of QoL. Trust in physician, income, education, and number of referrals were significant predictors of pain. Use of CAM only was associated with lower pain, while use of pharmacologic medications and CAM was associated with higher QoL.

CONCLUSIONS: Invalidation and trust in physicians may impact pain and QoL in FMS. The use of CAM or CAM with medications may improve pain and QoL.

Format

PDF

Language

English

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