Fibromyalgia Syndrome

81 Pages·2015·1.27 MB·English

by  Ernest Choy

O R L
OXFORD RHEUMATOLOGY LIBRARY
Fibromyalgia Syndrome

O R L
OXFORD RHEUMATOLOGY LIBRARY
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Second edition
Professor Ernest Choy
Head of Rheumatology and Translational Research
Institute of Infection and Immunity
Cardiff University
Cardiff, UK
1
3
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Second Edition published in 205
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To Christina, Catrina, and Nicholas,
for all their support and forbearance

Preface to the second edition
Since the first edition of this book, fibromyalgia syndrome has become increasingly recognized
and diagnosed. Unfortunately, there is still a significant delay in patients getting a diagnosis.
Many countries have recognized the healthcare burden of fibromyalgia and have published
guidelines and recommendations on diagnosis and management. The Canadian guidelines
emphasized that the diagnosis could be made in primary care and the importance of empow-
ering patients to manage this chronic illness. To assist this, there are new diagnostic criteria that
could be applied in primary care to aid recognition and diagnosis.
Professor Ernest Choy, 205
vii

Preface to the first edition
Fibromyalgia syndrome is characterized by chronic widespread pain. It is common, affecting 2%
of the population. The prevalence has increased dramatically since 990. The condition is not
new but has been known by various names such as fibrositis or myofascial pain syndrome, until
990 when the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published new classification criteria
and first used the term fibromyalgia. The absence of an objective diagnostic test and overlap
with other conditions often lead to significant delay in diagnosis. There is a general concern
by medical professionals that fibromyalgia is an ill-defined, polysymptomatic condition. The
diagnosis of fibromyalgia may create an illness and increase greatly healthcare cost. However,
research has found evidence of the opposite. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia improved patient
satisfaction and reduced healthcare utilization through decreased referral to other specialists
and medical investigations. Hence, prompt diagnosis is beneficial to patients, doctors, and
healthcare providers.
The purpose of this short book is to provide a succinct and practical guide to help general
practitioners and rheumatologists to diagnose and manage patients with fibromyalgia. This
book will provide the reader with an essential understanding of the pathophysiology of pain in ix
fibromyalgia, different subtypes of fibromyalgia, and pitfalls in the diagnosis and management
of this chronic condition.
Professor Ernest Choy, 2009