Depression with comorbid juvenile-onset fibromyalgia syndrome novel treatment plan using interpersonal psychotherapy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) affects 2% to 4% of people, with increasing prevalence in Saudi Arabia reaching 13.4%. FMS can occur in adolescents, known as juvenile-onset fibromyalgia (JFM) with comorbidities including depression, anxiety, and psychological stress. Our patient presented to the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic at King Saud University Hospital Medical City. A year before coming to our clinic, at the age of 15 she was initially diagnosed with JFM followed by a comorbid persistent depressive disorder.

METHODS: As a novel treatment method, a combination treatment approach was used, including a pharmacological intervention with Duloxetine, and a non-pharmacological intervention with interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents. She completed 16 weeks of therapy while monitoring for duloxetine response and side effects.

RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were in remission by treatment's end and continued to be in her first month posttreatment follow-up, and the FMS symptoms were also controlled.

CONCLUSION: Our present case highlights a combined approach to treat depression and JFM in adolescents as a novel intervention method thus we strongly recommend utilizing it for similar cases.