Fibromyalgia and Other Central Pain States
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199859436.003.0020
Fibromyalgia is a clinical diagnosis that has been a point of controversy for a number of years. It is characterized by widespread body pain and comorbid symptoms, such as fatigue and trouble thinking or remembering. As a categorical diagnosis, the estimated prevalence is around 2%. Rather than simply being present or absent, however, studies are now showing that fibromyalgia may be part of a larger continuum due to altered central pain processing. As such, there is overlap with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, temporomandibular joint disorder, and interstitial cystitis. There is also a portion of patients in classically described peripheral disorders, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, that meet clinical criteria for fibromyalgia. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment guidelines are available to help manage symptoms and regain function.
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