[Guidelines for social medicine assessment and evaluation of primary fibromyalgia]

Primary fibromyalgia belongs to the spectrum of rheumatic soft tissue disorders. It is characterized by wide-spread chronic pain and a low pain threshold. The etiology of the disorders is still unknown. Clinical diagnosis requires examination by a rheumatologically trained physician pathognomonic findings are largely lacking. Classification criteria have been published by Wolfe et al. on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The prognosis of FMA is unfavourable and does hardly, respond to therapy. FMA patients' work capacity cannot be established by mere diagnosis; individual impairments have to be taken into account: Clinical, psychosocial and behavioural dimensions have to be considered. Neither inpatient rehabilitation nor early retirement seem to significantly influence the course of FMA. The patient can usually work fulltime in jobs requiring light activities.