title: [What are the key symptoms of fibromyalgia? Results of a survey of the German Fibromyalgia Association].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A new definition of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) based on symptoms and without tender points is discussed from a rheumatological viewpoint.
  
  
  METHODS
  The German Fibromyalgia Association (DFV) developed a questionnaire on potential symptoms in FM based on a list of symptoms established by members of the DFV. The questionnaire was sent to all 3,996 members of the DFV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 753 questionnaires 699 were returned (95% women, most frequent age between 50-60 years) and evaluated. The rank order of the most frequent symptoms (>or=97% of the respondents) was muscle pain with varying locations, low back pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, non-restorative sleep, concentration problems, lack of energy, low productivity and forgetfulness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The key symptoms of FM are chronic widespread pain, non-restorative sleep and subjective disabilities. The frequency of general and extra-musculoskeletal symptoms underlines that FMS is more than just a "pain disorder".
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Schmerztherapie/Innere Medizin I (Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Stoffwechsel- und Infektionskrankheiten, Psychosomatik), Klinikum Saarbrücken gGmbH, Winterberg 1, 66119, Saarbrücken, Germany. whaeuser@klinikum-saarbruecken.de
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Häuser
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Felde
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Köllner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires