Well-being among Elderly Individuals with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to assess the mental well-being of elderly individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia in a selected community in Chennai, India, and to explore its association with selected demographic variables.

Objectives: (1) To assess the well-being among elderly individuals with fibromyalgia. (2) To determine the association between selected background variables and well-being in elderly individuals with fibromyalgia.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 80 elderly patients with a confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Participants were selected through consecutive sampling from the community. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Data were collected using a demographic pro forma and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh mental well being scale, which scores mental well-being on a scale ranging from 7 to 35.

Results: The mental well-being scores ranged from 7 to 11, with a mean score of 8.71 (±0.94), corresponding to a mean percentage score of 24.8%, indicating a low level of mental well-being among the participants. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between previous occupation and mental well-being (P = 0.023), where participants previously employed in the organized sector reported higher well-being scores compared to those unemployed or engaged in informal labor. No significant associations were observed between mental well-being and other demographic variables, including age, gender, educational status, religion, living status of spouse, financial dependency, income, number of children, body mass index, and history of chronic illness (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Elderly individuals with fibromyalgia in this community experience consistently low mental well-being. Occupational background appears to influence mental well-being, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions focusing on psychosocial support to improve the quality of life in this population.