David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Fibromyalgia
by SANGITA CHAKRABARTY, MD, and ROGER ZOOROB, MD
American Family Physician, Vol. 76/No. 2 (July 15, 2007)
Fibromyalgia is an idiopathic, chronic, nonarticular pain syndrome with generalized tender points. It is a multisystem disease characterized by sleep disturbance, fatigue, headache, morning stiffness, paresthesias, and anxiety. Nearly 2 percent of the general population in the United States suffers from fibromyalgia, with females of middle age being at increased risk. The diagnosis is primarily based on the presence of widespread pain for a period of at least three months and the presence of 11 tender points among 18 specific anatomic sites. There are certain comorbid conditions that overlap with, and also may be confused with, fibromyalgia. Recently there has been improved recognition and understanding of fibromyalgia. Although there are no guidelines for treatment, there is evidence that a multidimensional approach with patient education, cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, physical therapy, and pharmacologic therapy can be effective. (Am Fam Physician 2007;76:247-54.
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
Patient information: Handouts on fibromyalgia are available at http://familydoctor.org/070.xml and http://familydoctor.org/061.xml.
A PDF version of this document is available below.
by SANGITA CHAKRABARTY, MD, and ROGER ZOOROB, MD
American Family Physician, Vol. 76/No. 2 (July 15, 2007)
Fibromyalgia is an idiopathic, chronic, nonarticular pain syndrome with generalized tender points. It is a multisystem disease characterized by sleep disturbance, fatigue, headache, morning stiffness, paresthesias, and anxiety. Nearly 2 percent of the general population in the United States suffers from fibromyalgia, with females of middle age being at increased risk. The diagnosis is primarily based on the presence of widespread pain for a period of at least three months and the presence of 11 tender points among 18 specific anatomic sites. There are certain comorbid conditions that overlap with, and also may be confused with, fibromyalgia. Recently there has been improved recognition and understanding of fibromyalgia. Although there are no guidelines for treatment, there is evidence that a multidimensional approach with patient education, cognitive behavior therapy, exercise, physical therapy, and pharmacologic therapy can be effective. (Am Fam Physician 2007;76:247-54.
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
Patient information: Handouts on fibromyalgia are available at http://familydoctor.org/070.xml and http://familydoctor.org/061.xml.
A PDF version of this document
is available below.
