A six year prospective study of a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the long term prognosis in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).


METHODS
Forty five of 70 patients who had participated in a three week trial six years earlier completed again the same questionnaires used previously.


RESULTS
Most symptoms had remained stable. Pain had increased, but some aspects of quality of life had improved over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms of FM persisted over the six years, but patients appeared better able to cope with them.
Baumgartner
E
E
Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Finckh
A
A
Cedraschi
C
C
Vischer
T L
TL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D000700:Analgesics