Fibromyalgia: a clinical challenge

The syndrome of fibromyalgia includes an unusually large and heterogeneous number of symptoms apart from the core features of generalized pain and widespread tenderness. Widespread tenderness is the only objective criterion. There is no evidence that fibromyalgia is a disease of the muscles or a rheumatic syndrome. The experience from an Australian epidemic of fibromyalgia indicates that there is an important psychosomatic component in the pathogenesis. Probably, fibromyalgia is not a disease entity; rather, the symptoms reflect difficulties in coping with various types of environmental stress. Secondary to this, sleep disturbances, fatigue, a low level of physical activity and poor physical fitness may develop, rendering the patients susceptible to muscle pain and tenderness elicited by sleep disturbances. A vicious circle may be responsible for the chronicity of the syndrome. Identification of environmental factors and early intervention should be given a high priority.