Fibromyalgia is characterized by skeletal muscle pain and axial stiffness, with elective multiple points of tenderness (tender points). According to scientific literature, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and a worse quality of life is higher in patients with fibromyalgia. Trauma (sexual abuse and physical aggression) has a key role in the pain perception.

To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with fibromyalgia and/or autoimmune rheumatic diseases admitted to O.O.R.R. Foggia (Department of Rheumatology), to detect correlation between fibromyalgia and psychiatric disorders.

To underline psychiatric comorbidity in patients affected by fibromyalgia and/or autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Diagnostic tests at Baseline (T0): Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorder 2 to assess psychopathology, 12-Item Short Form survey for the quality of life, Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research for disorders of somatic symptoms, Insight Scale for the awareness of the disease, Davidson Trauma scales to assess the presence of a post-traumatic stress disorder, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index about the quality of sleep. After 3 months (T1): further psychodiagnostic assessment for patients with positive mental status exam in drug treatment.

Affectivity disorders, feelings of anger, irritability, hostility, impaired stress response, increased vulnerability to traumatic events are very frequent in patients affected by fibromyalgia.

The preliminary results of this study show that patients with fibromyalgia have diagnoses of major depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and personality disorders (cluster B). Multidisciplinary interventions are needed integrating the rheumatologic therapy with the psychiatric one, based on the detected diagnosis.