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. 2001 Aug;28(8):1892-9.

Effort testing in patients with fibromyalgia and disability incentives

R O Gervais  1 , A S Russell, P Green, L M Allen 3rd, R Ferrari, S D Pieschl
Affiliations
  • PMID: 11508597

Effort testing in patients with fibromyalgia and disability incentives

R O Gervais et al. J Rheumatol. 2001 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether symptom exaggeration is a factor in complaints of cognitive dysfunction using 2 new validated instruments in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: Ninety-six patients with FM and 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were administered 2 effort or symptom validity tests designed to detect exaggerated memory complaints as part of a battery of psychological tests and self-report questionnaires.

Results: A large percentage of patients with FM who were on or seeking disability benefits failed the effort tests. Only 2 patients with FM who were working and/or not claiming disability benefits and no patient with RA scored below the cutoffs for exaggeration of memory difficulties.

Conclusion: This study illustrates the importance of assessing for exaggeration of cognitive symptoms and biased responding in patients with FM presenting for disability related evaluations.

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