A Narrative Review on the Difficulties Associated with Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

Overview

Journal Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis

Date 2018 Jan 2

PMID 29290763

Citations 13

Authors

Dinesh Kumbhare

Sara Ahmed

Scott Watter

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Fibromyalgia presents a clinical enigma as its pathophysiology is not well understood and its symptoms are nonspecific and overlap with many disorders, making its diagnosis a challenge for clinicians and researchers. Efforts have been made to develop a set of diagnostic criteria for this disorder. However, these criteria rely heavily on expert clinician opinion and produce a large heterogeneity within the diagnosed population. With no present specific technique reflecting the underlying pathophysiology of fibromyalgia, a definitive diagnosis of fibromyalgia remains elusive. This review discusses some problems and challenges associated with fibromyalgia diagnosis and presents some novel findings on the pathophysiological nature of fibromyalgia.

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