Fibromyalgia Flashcards
define fibromyalgia?
A chronic pain disorder with an unknown cause characterized by widespread body pain for atleast 3 months in addition to tenderness (at 11/18 of the tender point sites defined by American college of rheumatology)
have other symptoms- fatigue, memory difficulties and sleep and mood difficulties
what are the risk factors for fibromyalgia?
family history
rheumatological conditions-> patients with autoimmune rheumatological conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) or chronic pain conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis) have a much higher prevalence of fibromyalgia than the general population.
age between 20-60 years old
females
outline the aetiology of fibromyalgia?
unknown aetiology
thought to be something to do with altered pain perception- diffuse hyperalgesia and/or allodynia
summarise the epidemiology of fibromylalgia?
common
10 x more common in women
usual presentation 20-60 years old ( Peak age 30 yo)
what are the presenting symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia?
Pain at multiple sites AND diffuse tenderness on examination (MAIN SYMPTOM + SIGN)
Fatigue
Sleep disturbance
Morning stiffness
Paraesthesia
Feeling of swollen joints
Problems with cognition
Headaches – axial extending into the neck and shoulders
Light headedness
Anxiety
Depression
Sensitive to sensory stimuli e.g. bright lights, odours and noises
what are the appropriate investigation for fibromylagia?
CLINICAL diagnosis
Key features of fibromyalgia:
Widespread pain involving both sides of the body, above and below the waist for at least 3 months
Presence of 11 tender points among the 9 pairs of specific sites shown in the diagram below
what are the other possibel investigations for fibromylagia?
Exclude other causes of pain e.g. RA, vasculitis
Norm ESR and CRP
Exclude hypothyroidism
FBC norm – exclude anaemia
No rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP or ANA
Exclude vit D def
