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Development and validation of Fibromyalgia Knowledge Questionnaire: FKQ

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop and validate a questionnaire for evaluating patients’ specific knowledge regarding fibromyalgia. The development of items and questions of the questionnaire was done using four focus group that included physicians, physical therapists, a nurse, and patients with fibromyalgia. Other 30 consecutive patients were recruited to evaluate the questionnaire’s reproducibility (intra- and inter-observer). In order to construct validity, the questionnaire was applied to healthcare professionals with knowledge on fibromyalgia and 20 other patients. To investigate sensitivity to change, the questionnaire was applied to 56 patients before and after an educational program (intervention group) or a waiting list (control group). Eighteen questions fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were understandable for more than 90% of the participants. The intraclass correlation coefficients for inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility ranged from 0.65 to 0.90 and from 0.86 to 0.96, respectively (P < 0.01). For construct validation, healthcare professionals obtained significant higher scores than the patients (P < 0.01). On the sensitivity to change evaluation, the intervention group obtained higher scores than the control group after the educational program (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The Fibromyalgia Knowledge Questionnaire was developed and it is reliable, valid, and sensitive to changes, for evaluating disease-specific knowledge in patients with fibromyalgia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Division, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Alina L. Suda, Fabio Jennings, Vanessa C. Bueno & Jamil Natour

Authors
  1. Alina L. Suda
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  2. Fabio Jennings
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  3. Vanessa C. Bueno
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  4. Jamil Natour
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamil Natour.

Appendix I: Fibromyalgia Knowledge Questionnaire—FKQ

Appendix I: Fibromyalgia Knowledge Questionnaire—FKQ

This questionnaire is important to identify how much you know about fibromyalgia and the way it can affect your life.

To correct filling, choose the alternatives that you consider right. If you do not know the answer, choose “don’t know”. Each question can have more than one correct alternative.

Answer all questions, don’t forget anyone.

  1. 1.

    Choose two right alternatives about the cause of fibromyalgia

    1. a.

      Work overload can cause fibromyalgia

    2. b.

      Physical traumas can cause fibromyalgia

    3. c.

      The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown

    4. d.

      Cold temperatures can cause fibromyalgia

    5. e.

      Many factors can cause fibromyalgia

    6. f.

      Don’t know

  2. 2.

    Choose two among the alternatives bellow which are the main symptoms of fibromyalgia.

    1. a.

      Joint deformities

    2. b.

      Restless sleep

    3. c.

      Arthritis

    4. d.

      Loss of hair

    5. e.

      Diffuse pain all over the body

    6. f.

      Don’t know

  3. 3.

    Besides those symptoms above related, choose one more that can be present in a patient with fibromyalgia:

    1. a.

      Vertigo

    2. b.

      Fever

    3. c.

      Allergic reaction

    4. d.

      Fatigue

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  4. 4.

    What is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of fibromyalgia? Choose two right alternatives:

    1. a.

      Medical consultation and physical examination done by a doctor

    2. b.

      Sophisticated image exams like magnetic resonance and tomography

    3. c.

      Laboratory tests like hematological analysis and hormonal dosages

    4. d.

      It’s always necessary to ask for some laboratory exams

    5. e.

      Sometimes it’s necessary to ask for other exams to make a differential diagnosis

    6. f.

      Don’t know

  5. 5.

    During the course of fibromyalgia what can happen to a patient? Choose two alternatives:

    1. a.

      Physical incapacity (wheelchair) and death

    2. b.

      Recovery due to medicines and exercises

    3. c.

      Disabilities but still able to work

    4. d.

      Do need a surgery

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  6. 6.

    Choose one alternative that contain the best drugs used to treat fibromyalgia

    1. a.

      Analgesics and antidepressants

    2. b.

      Diuretics and anti-inflammatories

    3. c.

      Muscle relaxants and corticosteroids

    4. d.

      Vitamins and herbal tea

    5. e.

      Cream and gel for massage

    6. f.

      Don’t know

  7. 7.

    Choose one right alternative about medicines that are used to treat fibromyalgia

    1. a.

      Medicines, as the only treatment, are enough to cure the disease

    2. b.

      Antidepressants in small dosages are used to treat the disease

    3. c.

      Anti-inflammatories are very important and are also the only medication that treat the disease

    4. d.

      All medication used to treat fibromyalgia can cause drug addiction

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  8. 8.

    Which one is the best association to treat fibromyalgia? Choose two alternatives:

    1. a.

      Hospitalization and perform acupuncture

    2. b.

      Regular exercises and anti-inflammatories

    3. c.

      Infiltration in trigger points and bed rest

    4. d.

      Psychological therapy, if necessary and regular physical exercises

    5. e.

      Regular physical exercises, like walking or hydro gymnastics plus low dose antidepressants.

    6. f.

      Don’t know

  9. 9.

    Which are the most common side effects caused by drugs used to treat fibromyalgia? Choose two alternatives.

    1. a.

      Dizziness and elevation in blood pressure

    2. b.

      Somnolence and dry mouth

    3. c.

      Constipation and weight gain

    4. d.

      Problems in the skin and eyes

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  10. 10.

    Choose one correct alternative about physical exercises in the treatment of fibromyalgia:

    1. a.

      Fibromyalgia patients should practice high performance exercises to treat the disease

    2. b.

      Regular physical exercises are useless in the treatment of the disease

    3. c.

      There’s no use in practicing exercises if you have a regular life like going shopping, taking children at school and walking to work

    4. d.

      Physical exercises can improve serotonine levels, reduce pain and make you fell better

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  11. 11.

    What is the importance of fibromyalgia patients practicing exercises? Choose one right alternative:

    1. a.

      Exercises are important and only work when produce pain

    2. b.

      When the patient feels pain, the best thing to do, is to rest in bed

    3. c.

      Patient should practice physical exercises three times a week

    4. d.

      Exercises are not indicated for workaholic people

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  12. 12.

    Which one is the best exercise for a patient with fibromyalgia? Choose one right alternative:

    1. a.

      Regular walking and hydro gymnastics (endurance exercises)

    2. b.

      Do exercises in the same day that you clean the house

    3. c.

      Go up and down stairs

    4. d.

      Do high performance exercises by yourself

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  13. 13.

    Choose the two best methods that can be used in the rehabilitation of patients with fibromyalgia:

    1. a.

      Hydrotherapy

    2. b.

      Infrared light (red light)

    3. c.

      Ultrasound

    4. d.

      Stretching exercises

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  14. 14.

    Which one is the best method of conserving your energy? Choose one alternative:

    1. a.

      Rest most of the day

    2. b.

      Do all the housework at once, to be free until the end of the day

    3. c.

      Make pauses (breaks to rest) during daily activities

    4. d.

      Do all the housework by yourself

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  15. 15.

    What are the other methods of conserving your energy? Choose two alternatives:

    1. a.

      Do not work, and rest the whole day

    2. b.

      Planning daily activities, resting between house duties

    3. c.

      Having a regular time to go to bed

    4. d.

      Sleep most of time to conserve your energy

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  16. 16.

    What is the best way to protect joints? Choose one alternative.

    1. a.

      Push objects instead of pulling then

    2. b.

      Carry all bags using just one hand, in the same side of the body

    3. c.

      Flex the spine forward to take an object in the ground

    4. d.

      Hold the telephone using the head and neck

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  17. 17.

    Choose the best alternative for joint protection.

    1. a.

      In fibromyalgia, the use of ortheses is always indicated (as splints) in the painful joint

    2. b.

      Carry bags in the forearm (larger joint), instead of in hands (smaller joint)

    3. c.

      Use hot packs in a tender point

    4. d.

      Try to protect painful points

    5. e.

      Don’t know

  18. 18.

    Choose one alternative about fibromyalgia

    1. a.

      Emotional triggers are the only responsible for the beginning of symptoms

    2. b.

      Stressful factors don’t worse the disease

    3. c.

      Fibromyalgia patients cannot have sexual intercourse

    4. d.

      Good familiar relationship does not help in the outcome of fibromyalgia

    5. e.

      In some situations, psychotherapy can be adjuvant to conventional treatment

    6. f.

      Don’t know

Total score: sum of the total correct responses

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Suda, A.L., Jennings, F., Bueno, V.C. et al. Development and validation of Fibromyalgia Knowledge Questionnaire: FKQ. Rheumatol Int 32, 655–662 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1627-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1627-7

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