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Review
. 2011 May;86(5):457-64.
doi: 10.4065/mcp.2010.0738.

Improving the recognition and diagnosis of fibromyalgia

Lesley M Arnold  1 , Daniel J Clauw, Bill H McCarberg; FibroCollaborative
Collaborators, Affiliations
Review

Improving the recognition and diagnosis of fibromyalgia

Lesley M Arnold et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 May.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic widespread pain disorder often seen in primary care practices. Advances in the understanding of FM pathophysiology and clinical presentation have improved the recognition and diagnosis of FM in clinical practice. Fibromyalgia is a clinical diagnosis based on signs and symptoms and is appropriate for primary care practitioners to make. The hallmark symptoms used to identify FM are chronic widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Awareness of common mimics of FM and comorbid disorders will increase confidence in establishing a diagnosis of FM.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia. Adapted from Arthritis Rheum, with permission.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
Flow chart for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM). ACR = American College of Rheumatology; PE = physical examination; SS = Symptom Severity; WPI = Widespread Pain Index.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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