Lack of correlation between the mean tender point score and self-reported pain in fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To study the validity and nature of self-assessed symptoms among patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to compare our data with findings reported in the US. To determine whether tender point scores correlate with self-reported pain and other symptoms and to study the influence of disease duration.


METHODS
Tender point scores were assessed in 113 consecutive patients with FMS. All patients completed 2 self-assessment questionnaires (an extended Campbell list, the Enschede Fibromyalgia Questionnaire, and the Dutch Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales).


RESULTS
The self-assessed symptoms of the Dutch FMS patients seem to be valid and are comparable with those of American patients. No association between disease duration and number of self-reported symptoms was found. An association between self-reported pain and mean tender point score was lacking for patients with disease of shorter duration and was weak for patients with disease of longer duration.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a self-report questionnaire for patients with FMS is feasible and appears to be valid. Tender point scores and self-reported pain represent very different aspects of pain in FMS.
Jacobs
J W
JW
Rasker
J J
JJ
van der Heide
A
A
Boersma
J W
JW
de Blécourt
A C
AC
Griep
E N
EN
van Rijswijk
M H
MH
Bijlsma
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States