Fibromyalgia

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is a common musculoskeletal disorder, which mostly affects women (in 90% of all cases). Fibromyalgia pain (described under " signs and symptoms") is the main symptom, but sleep disturbance is also common. Among women in postretirement age the frequency is as high as 7%. In industrialized nations about 2 to 4% of the poplation at large suffers from this condition (Ref. 1). It is characterized by wide spread pain, by fatigue, a sleep disorder and painful tenderspots in various anatomical locations.

When more than 12 out of 18 defined tender spots are positive, the diagnosis of primary fibromyalgia can be made.

However, there are also fibromyalgia symptoms that can accompany other rheumatic illnesses and medical diseases, in which case the physician calls this type secondary fibromyalgia. Common medical illnesses that need to be delineated from fibromyalgia are: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, depression, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia etc., or cancer (Ref. 2).

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. G.Littlejohn  Aust Fam Physician 2001 Apr;30(4):327-333.

2. LS Brecher et al. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2001 Apr;101(4 Suppl Pt 2):S12-17.

3. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 59.

4. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999. Chapter 6. Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

5. B Mukerji et al. Angiology 1995 May;46(5):425-430.

6. Ferri: Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment, 2004 ed., Copyright © 2004 Mosby, Inc.

7. Rakel: Conn's Current Therapy 2004, 56th ed., Copyright © 2004 Elsevier

Last Modified: Nov.12, 2008