Fibromyalgia and definition

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common causes of aches and pains. The definition of fibromyalgia is best described by criteria formulated by the American College of Rheumatology in 1990. These criteria are:

• Widespread pain of three or more months duration. (Widespread pain being defined as pain affecting the spine and affecting both sides of the body and pain above and below the waist.)

• Pain present in 11 or more out of 18 specified tender points on pressure exerted with a force of 4 kg (the amount of pressure required to blanch a thumbnail).

Other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, skin fold sensitivity, cold intolerance, and problems with short term memory may also be present but are not considered strict criteria.

See the section on fibromyalgia elsewhere on this website.

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