Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome, affecting 3–10% of the general population.

It shares many features with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, namely, an increased frequency among women aged 20–50, absence of objective findings, and absence of diagnostic laboratory test results.

While many of the clinical features of the two conditions overlap, musculoskeletal pain predominates in fibromyalgia, whereas lassitude dominates myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

The cause is unknown, but aberrant perception of painful stimuli, sleep disorders, depression, and viral infections have all been proposed.

Fibromyalgia may coexist with other rheumatic and medical conditions, such as SLE, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, or sleep apnea.

Diagnostic Essentials

• Most frequent in women aged 20–50.
• Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain syndrome with multiple tender points.
• Fatigue, headaches, numbness common.
• Objective signs of inflammation absent; laboratory studies normal.

Clinical Findings

The patient complains of chronic aching pain and stiffness, frequently involving the entire body but with prominence of pain around the neck, shoulders, low back, and hips.

Fatigue, sleep disorders, subjective numbness with paresthesias, chronic headaches, and irritable bowel symptoms are common.

Even minor exertion aggravates pain and increases fatigue.

Physical examination is normal except for “trigger points” of pain produced by palpation of various areas such as the trapezius, the medial fat pad of the knee, and the lateral epicondyle of the elbow.

Differential Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion.

A detailed history and repeated physical examination can obviate the need for extensive laboratory testing.

Rheumatoid arthritis and SLE present with objective physical findings and laboratory abnormalities.

Thyroid function tests are useful since hypothyroidism can produce a fibromyalgia-like syndrome.

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies produce demonstrable weakness.

Polymyalgia rheumatica produces shoulder and pelvic girdle pain, is associated with anemia and elevated ESR, and occurs after age 50.

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia should be made hesitantly in a patient > age 50 and should never be invoked to explain fever, weight loss, or any other objective signs.

Hypophosphatemic states, such as oncogenic osteomalacia, can cause musculoskeletal pain unassociated with physical findings but pain is limited to a few areas and labs reveal a low serum phosphate level.

Treatment

A multidisciplinary approach is most effective.

Patient education is essential. Patients can be comforted that they have a diagnosable syndrome treatable by specific although imperfect therapies, and that the course is not progressive.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, including programs that emphasize mindfulness meditation, is often helpful.

Exercise programs are also beneficial, particularly tai chi and yoga.

These medications have shown modest efficacy: amitriptyline, fluoxetine, duloxetine, milnacipran, cyclobenzaprine, pregabalin, gabapentin, or low-dose naltrexone.

Tramadol and acetaminophen combinations have ameliorated symptoms modestly in short-term trials.

NSAIDs are generally ineffective.

Cannabinoids may have a role in the treatment of fibromyalgia; however, dose, formulation, and frequency are unknown.

Opioids and corticosteroids are ineffective and should not be used.

Depression and anxiety are extremely common among patients with fibromyalgia; concurrent treatment of these comorbid conditions is highly recommended.

Prognosis

All patients have chronic symptoms.

With treatment, however, many do eventually resume increased activities.

Progressive or objective findings do not develop.