Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Characterizing fibromyalgia flares: a prospective observational study
Jose Maria Gomez-Arguelles1,2, Marco Moreno-Zazo3, Ceferino Maestu2
1Department of Neurology, Quiron University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
Introduction:
Although most patients with fibromyalgia describe periods of exacerbation of their symptomatology, there are very few studies describing its characteristics.
Material And Methods:
We recruited a total of 124 patients from our outpatient clinics who agreed to a follow-up of at least 6 months. All of them were asked to note and describe whether they had had any worsening of their symptoms during that time.
Results:
Sixty-nine patients (75%) reported at least one flare, with a mean of 2 flares per patient. The mean duration of flares was 11 weeks. The most frequent triggers were: continuous stress (56%), intense stress (39%), physical overexertion (37%) and climatic changes (36%). The most common actions taken by patients were rest and medication.
Conclusions:
Two-thirds of fibromyalgia patients experienced flares within 6 months. The symptoms and measures taken are similar to those patients usually take when they notice a worsening of symptoms.
More Related Videos
10:46A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
11:26Home-Based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Device Development: An Updated Protocol Used at Home in Healthy Subjects and Fibromyalgia Patients
Published on: July 14, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:18Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
01:11Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies