WHAT IS THE CLINICAL CASE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR FMS?

• • Compulsory history of widespread pain that lasts at least three months

    

    • pain in both sides of the body

    • pain above and below the waist (including low back pain)

    • axial skelatal pain (cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine or low back).  Shoulder and buttock involvement counts for either side of the body.  “Low back” is lower segment.

  • 11 or more of 18 Defined Tender Points Present

  • Screen for Additional Clinical Symptoms & Signs of FMS

  • Determine Total Illness Burden of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Why are Clinical Symptoms and Signs Included in the Clinical Definition?

For research purposes, widespread pain and tender points are the only criteria to meet the definition of FMS.  In a clinical setting, once the patient has met the criteria of FMS, it is important to assess all the patient’s symptoms related to the illness in order to establish the patient’s total illness burden.