1
Q
What is fibromyalgia?
A
A common disorder of central pain processing characterized by chronic widespread pain in all 4 quadrants of the body.
2
Q
What are some risk factors for fibromyalgia?
A
- Female sex
- Middle aged
- Low household income
- Divorced
- Low educational status
3
Q
What is fibromyalgia associated with?
A
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic headache syndromes
- 25% of patients with RA, AS and SLE
4
Q
What is allodynia?
A
A heightened and painful response to innocuous stimuli
5
Q
What are some features of fibromyalgia?
A
- Chronic pain (>3 months) and widespread
- Profound fatigue with unrefreshing sleep
- Numbness
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel/bladder syndrome
- Depression and anxiety
- Poor memory and fibrofog
6
Q
What would be found on examination?
A
- No abnormalities on MSK or neurological examination
- Patients may have tender points on palpation of their muscles
7
Q
What is the non pharmacological treatment for fibromyalgia?
A
- Exclude alternative diagnoses
- Graded exercise programmes
- CBT
- Relaxation
- Rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy
8
Q
What is the pharmacological therapy for fibromyalgia?
A
- Lose dose amitriptyline (10-20mg at night)
- Pregabalin
- Duloxetine/SSRI recommended if coexisting depression
