Fibromyalgia Flashcards
How was fibromyalgia discovered?
Fibromyalgia was discovered by analysing pattern of symptoms over the years
In 1876, Balfour made a connection between which 2 symptoms, which eventually led to discovery of fibromyalgia?
Balfour 1876: Connection between muscular rheumatism and tender points
In the discovery of fibromyalgia, who initially named it fibrositis and what was their reasoning?
William Gowers 1904: definition needed for inflammation of fibrous tissue, so should follow cellulitis analogy and call it fibrositis
What 2 symptoms of fibromyalgia were discovered in 1977, and by which 2 scientists?
Smythe and Moldofsky 1977: multiple tender points and disturbed sleep
What 2 discoveries did Yunnus make in 1981 regarding fibromyalgia?
Yunnus 1981: found that tender point examination is useful and found common comorbidities
What organisation adopted the term ‘fibromyalgia’ and why, and in what year did this happen?
American College of Rheumatology 1990: ‘Fibromyalgia’ term adopted as it has respectability and causes acceptance of the condition
What is the percentage worldwide prevalence of fibromyalgia?
1-10%
Is the incidence of fibromyalgia equal in men and women?
3x more common in women than men
Is prevalence of fibromyalgia equal at all ages?
Prevalence increases with age to maximum in 60s
What is the definition of fibromyalgia?
Widespread musculoskeletal pain for which no alternative cause can be identified, that is accompanied by fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, memory, mood issues
In the ACR classification criteria 1990 for fibromyalgia, what is the duration of the pain and what 4 body areas must the pain occur in, and what must this be combined with?
Pain for minimum 3 months in left, right, upper, lower body combined with 11/18 tender points
What is meant by a tender point?
Small area near joint that is painful when pressed on
Where are the 18 tender points in the fibromyalgia criteria 1990?
9 bilateral tender points, making 18 in total:
Suboccipital (back of neck)
Lower cervical
Trapezius
Supraspinatus
2nd rib (upper chest under clavicle)
Lateral epicondyle
Gluteal muscle
Greater trochanter
infrapatellar fat pad
Give 3 critiques of the America College of Rheumatology Fibromyalgia classification criteria 1990?
No gold standard pathology as it isn’t grounded in any clear pathological process
Doesn’t consider related clinical features
Fibromyalgia doesn’t encompass all chronic pain as tender points present in other conditions
From 2010-2016, give 3 ways in which the fibromyalgia classification criteria has changed from the 1990 criteria?
doesn’t use tender points
combination of physician/diagnostic and classification criteria
valid irrespective of other diseases
What are the 3 requirements that need to be met in order to fulfil the 2016 fibromyalgia classification criteria and confirm the validity of the diagnosis?
Pain in 4 out of 5 regions, not including jaw, chest, abdomen
WPI > 7 and SSS 5 or more, or WPI 4/5/6 and SSS > 9 or more
Symptoms present for at least 3 months
What is the Widespread Pain Index used to calculate in the 2016 fibromyalgia classification criteria?
Numbers of areas which contain pain for minimum 3 months
Maximum 19 areas which are split into 5 regions
What is the Symptom Severity Score used to calculate in the 2016 fibromyalgia classification criteria?
Total score is calculated, maximum is 12 points
Symptoms experienced in last week are individually rated from 0-3: fatigue, cognitive symptoms, waking up unrefreshed
Symptoms experienced in last 6 months are individually rated from 0-1: abdominal pain/cramps, depression, headache
Describe a later modification to the 2016 fibromyalgia classification criteria?
Fibromyalgia scale and questionnaire that will consider psychological, social, cultural, biological aspects
Is there a main site of pain in fibromyalgia?
No, patient says that pain hurts all over, and that pain can have a focus but shifts
What are the 2 ways in which individuals with fibromyalgia describe the character of the pain?
Burning, gnawing pain
Give 7 associated symptoms of fibromyalgia
Hyperalgesia: abnormally heightened sensitivity to pain
Allodynia: pain due to a stimulus that usually doesn’t provoke pain
Mental and physical fatigue
Sleep disturbance, 8-10 hrs light sleep a night
EMS
Unrefreshed after waking
Psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety
What 2 types of weather conditions exacerbate fibromyalgia?
Cold, damp weather
Describe the severity of pain caused by fibromyalgia, and how it compares to pain caused by RA?
Pain is moderate or severe, worse than RA
Give 3 characteristic findings of fibromyalgia upon physical examination?
Tender points
No synovial inflammation
No muscle weakness