title: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndromes: A White Paper Detailing Current Challenges in the Field.
abstract: This manuscript, developed by a group of chronic pain researchers and clinicians from around the world, aims to address the state of knowledge about fibromyalgia (FM) and identify ongoing challenges in the field of FM and other chronic pain syndromes that may be characterized by pain centralization/amplification/hypersensitivity. There have been many exciting developments in research studies of the pathophysiology and treatment of FM and related syndromes that have the potential to improve the recognition and management of patients with FM and other conditions with FM-like pain. However, much of the new information has not reached all clinicians, especially primary care clinicians, who have the greatest potential to use this new knowledge to positively impact their patients' lives. Furthermore, there are persistent misconceptions about FM and a lack of consensus regarding the diagnosis and treatment of FM. This paper presents a framework for future global efforts to improve the understanding and treatment of FM and other associated chronic pain syndromes, disseminate research findings, identify ways to enhance advocacy for these patients, and improve global efforts to collaborate and reach consensus about key issues related to FM and chronic pain in general.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH †Cardiff Institute of Infection & Immunity, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK ‡University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI §Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA ∥Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil ¶Danish Pain Research Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark #Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo ††Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan **Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA ‡‡China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Lesley M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Choy
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Clauw
authors.forename: Don L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helfenstein
authors.forename: Troels Staehelin
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: Stuart L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ushida
authors.forename: Guochun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans