title: Generalized pain, fibromyalgia and regional pain: an epidemiological view.
abstract: Generalized pain, which is one component of the fibromyalgia syndrome, is a common and disabling problem in the general population. Pain at individual sites, such as the lower back and shoulder, has traditionally been considered distinct from generalized pain and studied separately. This chapter considers first the basic definition and distribution of widespread pain in the population, and second examines the evidence as to whether widespread and regional pain are truly or usefully distinguished.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Chronic Disease/Epidemiology, School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class