Objectives: Using the Temperament and Character Inventory [TCI], this study investigates whether differences in temperament and character exist in fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] patients compared with healthy normal controls [HNC] of the community and whether there might be subgroups among FMS patients.

Methods: This study asked 191 female patients with FMS and 652 age-matched female HNC of the community to answer the TCI questionnaire.

Results: The FMS was associated with high harm avoidance, persistence, self-transcendence, and low self-directedness. Three subgroups of FMS were identified [cluster 1: N = 72; cluster 2: N = 83; and cluster 3: N = 30] based on all scales and subscales of TCI.

Conclusions: Both aspects of TCI, temperament and character, are different and changed in FMS compared with HNC, mainly high harm avoidance, high persistence, low self-directedness, and high self-transcendence. The established personality patterns may affect the FMS patients' ability to cope with stress and pain in daily-life situations. In future studies it is important to also incorporate pain intensity, depression and anxiety variables, and other personality instruments when interpreting the results.