Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a multisystem illness. One of its defining features, generalized pain, may also be present in other rheumatic entities. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is not easy by any means, it requires a profound knowledge of internal medicine. This article discusses the different rheumatic and nonrheumatic diseases that overlap or are prone to be confused with fibromyalgia. It emphasizes the key points in the differential diagnosis.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References and Recommended Reading
Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, et al.: The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum 1990, 33:160–172.
Wolfe F, Cathey MA: Prevalence of primary and secondary fibrositis. J Rheumatol 1983, 10:965–968.
Fitzcharles MA, Esdaile J: The overdiagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome. Am J Med 1997, 103:44–50.
Martínez-Taboada VM, Blanco R, Rodriguez-Valverde V: Polymyalgia rheumatica with normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate: clinical aspects. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2000, 18:S34–37.
Martínez-Lavín M, León A, Hermosillo AG, et al.: The dysautonomia of fibromyalgia may simulate lupus. J Clin Rheumatol 1999, 5:332–334.
Martínez-Lavín M, Hermosillo AG: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction may explain the multi-system features of fibromyalgia. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2000, 29:197–199. A proposal that relentless sympathetic hyperactivity with concurrent hyporeactivity may be the cause of the multisystem features of FM.
Fox RI, Tornwall J, Michelson P: Current issues in the diagnosis and treatment of Sjogren’s syndrome. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2000, 11:364–371.
Steere AC, Taylor E, McHigh GL, Logigian EL: The overdiagnosis of Lyme disease. JAMA 1993, 269:1812–1816.
Reginato AJ, Falasca GF, Pappu R, et al.: Musculoskeletal manifestations of osteomalacia: report of 26 cases and literature review. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1999, 28:287–304.
De Meirleir K, Bisbal C, Campine I, et al.: A 37 kDa 2-5A binding protein as a potential biochemical marker for chronic fatigue syndrome. Am J Med 2000, 108:99–105. An intriguing report of a possible biochemical marker for CFS. This finding needs confirmation by independent investigators.
Rivera J, de Diego A, Trinchet M, García Monforte A: Fibromyalgia-associated hepatitis C virus infection. Br J Rheumatol 1997, 36:981–985.
Milhorat TH, Chou MW, Trinidad EM, et al.: Chiari I malformation redefined: clinical and radiographic findings for 364 symptomatic patients. Neurosurgery 1999, 44:1005–1017.
Vaeroy H, Heller R, Forre O, et al.: Elevated CSF levels of substance P an high incidence of Raynaud’s phenomenon in patients with fibromyalgia: new features for diagnosis. Pain 1988, 32:21–26.
Russel IJ, Orr MD, Littman D, et al.: Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of substance P in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Arthritis Rheum 1994, 37:1593–1601.
Martínez-Lavín M: Is fibromyalgia a generalized reflex sympathetic dystrophy? Clin Exp Rheumatol 2001, 19:1–3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lavín, M.M. Overlap of fibromyalgia with other medical conditions. Current Science Inc 5, 347–350 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-001-0024-z
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-001-0024-z