WHICH ANTIDEPRESSANT CLASSIFICATION CONTRIBUTES TO THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT PLAN IN FIBROMYALGIA PATIENTS?

The present study examined 36 patients with fibromyalgia (FM) who were taking antidepressants (AD). The study assessed participants' physical pain, depression, and several quality of life variables. I hypothesized that patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) would report less pain and depression, and better quality of life, compared to patients taking selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. MANOVA analysis revealed that there was not a significant relationship between AD type and pain or between AD type and depression, although there was a significant trend for depression. Contrary to my hypothesis, those taking SSRIs reported more depression. Correlational analysis revealed associations between AD types and quality of life variables of balance, self-efficacy for exercise, number of social activities.  FM patients taking SSRIs reported better quality of life than those taking other ADs. Thus, my results were mixed. SSRIs were not associated with pain and were associated with worse depression, but they were associated with better quality of life in terms of physical and social activity. Psychotherapy and behavioral medicine may also lessen FM patients’ pain and depression.