Fibromyalgia: A misconnection in a multiconnected world?

Abstract

Fibromyalgia represents a condition still controversial in its entity, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management (Figure ). In a world where everybody is connected, and everybody is sharing their own image, fibromyalgia (FM) represents the emblematic pathology of misconnection and lack of specific biomarker. FM is an invisible experience with all normal tests and analyses, without any visible biomarker to exhibit to healthcare professionals, colleagues and relatives. In this context, we propose to consider FM as a disease of misconnection at different levels: misconnection with society, misconnection with healthcare professionals, misconnection with pathophysiological concepts, misconnection between brain and body. The concept of misconnection defines FM in a different and holistic view and proposes different views of assessment, management and representation: FM pathophysiology: the desynchronization of brain and body FM recognition: the broken link between patients and physicians FM assessment: merging the body and mind for an optimal diagnosis and management FM treatment: re-establishing the good connections at different levels We hope to reconnect FM patients with all healthcare providers, help FM patients reconnect with their painful body and integrate FM into regular medical practice. SIGNIFICANCE: The concept of misconnection defines FM in a different and holistic view, and propose different views of assessment, management and representation.