Information to patients.
Up to 5% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia, which is a syndrome characterised by chronic body pain, fatigue, anxiety or depression, sleep disturbances.Commonly seen in patients between 20 to 50, more in females than males at 9:1 ratio.
primary : not associated with other conditions.
secondary: associated with rheumatoid arthritis or SLE
Common symptoms associated with fibromyalgia with decreasing frequency are:
Condition % of FMS Symptoms
Muscular Pain 100Diagnosis : There is no single test which can establish the diagnosis. It is more a diagnosis by exclusion. Do investigations to rule out all other rheumatological conditions.
Fatigue 96
Insomnia 86
Joint Pains 72
Headaches 60
Restless Legs 56
Numbness and Tingling 52
Impaired Memory 46
Leg Cramps 42
Impaired Concentration 41
Nervousness 32
Depression (Major Depression) 20
can also be associated with irritable bowel syndrome, paraesthesia, genitourinary symptoms.
Criteria used for diagnosis according to ACR are:
1. Wide spread presence of pain throughout the body present for more than 3 months.
2. Presence of tender spots throughout the body. At least 11 out of 18.
Treatment: Mostly symptomatic treatment, options available are:
1. Medications: Tramadol, pregabalin, ketamine, gabapentin and others.
2. Exercises: Most important part of treatment. Aerobics, stretching and strengthening exercises, etc
3. Relaxation techniques to reduce the effects of stress: meditation, pranayama etc.
4. Antidepressants and muscle relaxants can also used.
5. Psychotherapy.
