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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) established two criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia:
- Widespread pain lasting at least three months
- At least 11 positive tender points — out of a total possible of 18
But fibromyalgia symptoms can come and go. And many doctors were uncertain about how much pressure to apply during a tender point exam. While the 1990 guidelines may still be used by researchers studying fibromyalgia, less stringent guidelines have been developed for doctors to use in general practice. These newer diagnostic criteria include:
- Widespread pain lasting at least three months
- No other underlying condition that might be causing the pain
Blood tests
While there is no lab test to confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, your doctor may want to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. Blood tests may include:
- Complete blood count
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Thyroid function tests
- Fibromyalgia. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 2, 2010.
- Bennett RM. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/225054422-4/1077621679/1492/1050.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50300-1_13277. Accessed Nov. 2, 2010.
- Clauw DJ. Fibromyalgia: An overview. American Journal of Medicine. 2009;122:S3.
- Bennett RM. Clinical manifestations of diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. 2009;35:215.
- Goldenberg DL. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of fibromyalgia in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 4, 2010.
- Muller D, et al. Fibromyalgia syndrome. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/225324736-4/1078619948/1494/93.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50050-8_2384. Accessed Nov. 4, 2010.
- Goldenberg DL. Treatment of fibromyalgia in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 4, 2010.
- Wolfe F, et al. The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. Arthritis Care and Research. 2010;62:600.
- Hassett AL, et al. Nonpharmacologic treatment for fibromyalgia: Patient education, cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques and complementary and alternative medicine. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. 2009;35:393.
- Fibromyalgia and CAM: At a glance. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/fibromyalgia.htm. Accessed Nov. 4, 2010.
- Carson JW, et al. A pilot randomized controlled trial of the Yoga of Awareness program in the management of fibromyalgia. Pain. 2010;151:530.
- Wang C, et al. A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363:743.
- Vincent A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 16, 2010.
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