What is the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on temperament and character in patients with fibromyalgia?

Mazza, Marianna; Mazza, Osvaldo; Pomponi, Massimiliano; Di Nicola, Marco; Padua, Luca; Vicini, Massimo; Bria, Pietro; Mazza, Salvatore

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2008.08.004

« Previous Next »Comprehensive Psychiatry
Volume 50, Issue 3 , Pages 240-244, May 2009

What is the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on temperament and character in patients with fibromyalgia?

Marianna Mazza
- Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 06 35348285; fax: +39 06 35501909.
Osvaldo Mazza
- Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital, 00050 Palidoro-Rome, Italy
Massimiliano Pomponi
- Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
Marco Di Nicola
- Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
Luca Padua
- Department of Neurosciences, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy
Massimo Vicini
- Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Bambino Gesù Paediatric Hospital, 00050 Palidoro-Rome, Italy
Pietro Bria
- Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, Largo F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
Salvatore Mazza
- Department of Neurosciences, Catholic University of Sacred Heart of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy

published online 20 October 2008.

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to assess a group of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and control subjects using the personality questionnaire proposed by Cloninger and to determine possible changes in the Italian version of the Temperament and Character Inventory—Revised patterns of patients with FM after therapy with serotoninergic antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]).

Methods

Sixty patients with FM filled out the Temperament and Character Inventory—Revised and Beck Depression Inventory before and after 6-month therapy with SSRIs (escitalopram 10 mg, fluoxetine 20 mg, or paroxetine 20 mg). A total of 80 age-, sex-, and education level-matched healthy subjects were selected as a control group.

Results

Both in the pretreatment and posttreatment period, patients were found to have higher harm avoidance and lower self-directedness scores than healthy controls. In addition, harm avoidance and self-directedness were state and trait dependent.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms in patients with FM can be significantly decreased by treatment with SSRIs. A careful clinical assessment and study of personality profile is needed to identify patients with FM who may benefit from antidepressant pharmacologic therapy and specific psychotherapeutic interventions.