title: A medicolegal analysis of worker appeals for fibromyalgia as a compensable condition following workplace soft-tissue injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Workplace injuries may be implicated in the causation of fibromyalgia (FM), hence linking FM to compensation. We examined the appeals by workers directed to an appeals tribunal for causation of FM following soft-tissue injury sustained in the workplace.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty tribunal decisions relevant to FM were examined using a predetermined protocol. New-onset FM was appealed in 123, and aggravation of preexisting FM in 15.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All injuries were of a soft-tissue type, without persistent physical findings to explain continued symptoms. The tribunal accepted 67% of appeals for aggravation of FM, and 59% for new-onset FM. Time from injury to FM diagnosis was 4.3 ± 4.1 years, with 6.3 ± 2.8 physicians cited for each worker, and with previous health status not reported for 26%. Injuries were a single event in 68%, with location in low back for 44%, and shoulder/upper limb in 40%. The FM diagnosis was based on a rheumatologist report in 74%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over half of appeals for aggravation or causation of FM following a work-related soft-tissue injury were accepted by the tribunal, with importance ascribed to a rheumatologist diagnosis. Concerns are raised regarding lengthy duration from injury to diagnosis, claimants' high healthcare use, and neglect of mention of previous health status. The attribution of causation of FM to a soft-tissue workplace traumatic event is contentious and requires further examination.
authors: Division of Rheumatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. mary-ann.fitzcharles@muhc.mcgill.ca
authors: Mary-Ann
authors: MA
authors: Fitzcharles
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Ste-Marie
authors: Yoram
authors: Y
authors: Shir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics*; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017132:Workplace