[What are the key symptoms of fibromyalgia? Results of a survey of the German Fibromyalgia Association].
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".
Häuser
W
W
Zentrum für Schmerztherapie/Innere Medizin I (Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Stoffwechsel- und Infektionskrankheiten, Psychosomatik), Klinikum Saarbrücken gGmbH, Winterberg 1, 66119, Saarbrücken, Germany. whaeuser@klinikum-saarbruecken.de
Zimmer
C
C
Felde
E
E
Köllner
V
V
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