[Diagnosis and clinical signs of fibromyalgia]

According to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR 1990) fibromyalgia can be classified as a complex of clinical symptoms. It is characterised by widespread muscle pain, and pain in at least 11 out of 18 defined so-called tender points. The widespread muscle pain must be present for at least 3 months. For the diagnosis of fibromyalgia many other rheumatological, neurological and psychiatric diseases have to be excluded; additional autonomic or functional symptoms are usual. Routine laboratory or radiological examinations yield normal results. From a pathogenetic point of view endocrine disturbances and psychosocial stress factors are found. In most cases the clinical course shows a slow development of generalised pain.