title: Nurse Practitioners' Education, Awareness, and Therapeutic Approaches for the Management of Fibromyalgia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the United States, fibromyalgia affects 2%-5% of the adult population, rendering it the most common chronic, widespread pain condition. The American College of Rheumatology has published diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia, with the latest version in 2010.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate nurse practitioners' education and awareness of fibromyalgia and to evaluate nurse practitioners' practices for the management of fibromyalgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six nurse practitioners voluntarily completed an online survey regarding their education, diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with fibromyalgia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of participants reported that they always or occasionally had difficulty diagnosing fibromyalgia and worried about labeling their patients as having fibromyalgia. The most commonly used agents were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (70%), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (61%), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (51%), and muscle relaxants (44%). Nondrug therapies included exercise (88%), cognitive behavior therapy (58%), and nutrition (56%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further education is needed for nurse practitioners to increase confidence in diagnosing and managing fibromyalgia.
authors.affiliation: Linda Hughes, PhD, RN, Dean of Nursing and Professor, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha. Jean Adair, MSN, RN, Learning Consultant, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha. Feng Feng, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha. Stephanie Maciejewski, Pharm D, Medical Outcomes Specialist, Pfizer Inc., New York. Harsha Sharma, PhD, Associate Professor, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adair
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maciejewski
authors.forename: Harsha
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014179:Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors