title: EpiFibro--a nationwide databank for fibromyalgia syndrome: the initial analysis of 500 women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is a common painful condition of the musculoskeletal system that is typically accompanied by several symptoms in other systems. In Brazil, the prevalence of FS is estimated at 2.5%. Here, we present the initial data from Epi-Fibro, a nationwide databank of FS patients seen in public and private settings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to assess how the diagnosis of FS was made, identify a set of clinical domains considered relevant by both clinicians and patients in cases of FS, analyse the impact of disease on patient quality of life, and compare the findings among patients of public and private services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on the results of questionnaires, we analysed data corresponding to the first 500 women in the database. Questionnaires pertaining to demographic and clinical data and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), which was translated and validated for Brazilian patients, were completed by the clinicians and/or patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preliminary analysis of the EpiFibro databank revealed that female FS patients in Brazil reported a high impact of disease, as measured by the FIQ, a high prevalence of associated symptoms, and a low degree of education (consistent with the public health care in Brazil used mainly by the underserved). In addition, most patients perceived their pain as diffuse from the onset of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression and anxiety were seen as the main triggers of FM symptoms, but a significant proportion of the subjects perceived work strain as the initial trigger.We also observed a delay of a few years in seeking medical help and examination by a rheumatologist.
authors: Marcelo C
authors: MC
authors: Rezende
authors: Eduardo S
authors: ES
authors: Paiva
authors: Milton
authors: M
authors: Helfenstein
authors: Aline
authors: A
authors: Ranzolin
authors: José Eduardo
authors: JE
authors: Martinez
authors: Jose Roberto
authors: JR
authors: Provenza
authors: Carlos Eugênio Ribeiro
authors: CE
authors: Parolini
authors: Luiz Severiano
authors: LS
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Eduardo J R
authors: EJ
authors: Souza
authors: Daniel P
authors: DP
authors: Feldman
authors: Marcos Renato
authors: MR
authors: de Assis
authors: Roberto E
authors: RE
authors: Heymann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult