How Depression Affects the Cognitive Profile of Fibromyalgia Patients

The authors conclude, “From a clinical practice perspective, we must consider emotional symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, to be an essential part of the cognitive performance of patients with fibromyalgia. It, therefore, makes no sense to analyze them separately.”

Thus, researchers propose that patients with fibromyalgia be treated for depression and that such treatment may reduce the impairment of their attentional processes. However, they caution that the impairment of cognitive flexibility and inhibition may likely remain challenges for patients with fibromyalgia.

Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.

Reference

1. Gelonch O, Garolera M, Valls J, et al. The effect of depressive symptoms on cognition in patients with fibromyalgia. PLoS One. 2018 Jul 5;13(7):e0200057. eCollection 2018.