2. INTRODUCTION
Fibromyalgia (FM)
• A soft tissue pain syndrome
• 4% of the population of the US.
• ACR criteria for the classification of FM:
– history of chronic widespread pain involving
• all 4 quadrants of the body &
• the axial skeleton, plus
– the presence of 11 of 18 tender points on PE.
3.
4. INTRODUCTION
Fibromyalgia (FM)
• A variety of nonspecific symptoms are
often present in FM:
– fatigue (often worsened by physical activity),
– paresthesias
– irritable bowel complaints
– migraine headaches
– deficits of attention and memory.
5. INTRODUCTION
Fibromyalgia (FM)
• Patient education fundamental part of the
treatment process.
– A variety of Internet-based Web sites are available for
patients.
• Exercise crucial element of therapy.
– A regular exercise program should be considered to
be a full part of the pharmacological armamentarium.
• TCA agents (cyclobenzaprine, amitriptyline)
usually the 1st line pharmacologic treatment.
