Table 2 Baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants by treatment group

Gender, females, n (%)

54 (94.7%)

52 (92.9%)

53 (96.4%)

0.71

Mean age, years (±SD)

46.35 (6.71)

47.12 (6.25)

47.04 (6.53)

0.79

Marital status, n (%)

0.99

Married or in a relationship

40 (70.2%)

40 (71.4%)

37 (67.3%)

Single

9 (15.8%)

9 (16.1%)

10 (18.2%)

Separated or divorced

8 (14%)

7 (12.5%)

8 (14.5%)

Widowed

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

Ethnic group, n (%)

1.00

European

57 (100%)

56 (100%)

55 (100%)

Living arrangement, n (%)

0.99

Living alone

4 (7.0%)

4 (7.1%)

6 (10.9%)

Living with spouse or partner

8 (14.0%)

9 (16.1%)

8 (14.5%)

Living with offspring and/or spouse/partner

34 (59.6%)

30 (53.6%)

31 (56.4%)

Living with other relatives

5 (8.8%)

7 (12.5%)

5 (9.1%)

Other

6 (10.5%)

6 (10.7%)

5 (9.1%)

Educational level, n (%)

0.81

Illiterate

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

0 (0%)

Primary school

23 (40.4%)

23 (41.1%)

28 (50.9%)

Secondary school

23 (40.4%)

22 (39.3%)

18 (32.7%)

University

11 (19.3%)

11 (19.6%)

9 (16.4%)

Employment status, n (%)

0.99

Unemployed

19 (29.8%)

15 (26.8%)

15 (27.3%)

Paid employment

9 (15.8%)

11 (19.6%)

9 (16.4%)

On sick leave from paid employment

13 (22.8%)

12 (21.4%)

14 (25.5%)

Retired/pensioner

7 (12.3%)

6 (10.7%)

8 (14.5%)

Permanent disability

11 (19.3%)

12 (21.4%)

9 (16.4%)

Income

0.40

<MS (600€/month)

15 (26.3%)

15 (26.8%)

27 (49.1%)

1 to 2 MS

24 (42.1%)

23 (41.1%)

20 (36.4%)

>2 to 4 MS

18 (31.6%)

18 (32.1%)

8 (14.5%)

>4 MS

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

Clinical variables

Mean years since FM diagnosis (±SD)

12.91 (7.15)

11.23 (3.85)

11.69 (4.02)

0.22

Preference for psychotherapy, n (%)

28 (49.1%)

26 (46.4%)

27 (49.1%)

0.95

Comorbid major depressive disorder, n (%)

27 (47.4%)

26 (46.4%)

30 (54.5%)

0.65

Sexual abuse, n (%)

4 (7.0%)

7 (12.5%)

11 (14.5%)

0.43

Currently engaged in litigation, n (%)

17 (29.8%)

12 (21.4%)

16 (29.1%)

0.54