To realize a clarification about fibromyalgia, attempting to consider diagnostic criteria, prevalence, pathophysiology and therapeutic approach.
A systematic literature search was conducted to select articles about fibromyalgia and connected diseases. The database are Premedline, Medline and Medlineplus.
Fifty-eight articles about fibromyalgia and twelve articles about connected diseases were selected to realize this review of literature.
Fibromyalgia constitutes a syndrome characterized by widespread musculo-skeletal pain, present above the waist and below the waist and in the axial skeleton. Widespread pain must have been present for at least three months. "Spasmophilie", chronic fatigue syndrome and myofascial syndrome represent diseases connected with fibromyalgia: differential diagnosis must be established. Researches related to fibromyalgia suggest a reduction of muscular performances associated with histological and biochemical anomalies. Patients are characterized by shorter and nonrestorative sleep. Psychological, neuroendocrine and central alterations appear often associated with fibromyalgia. The reduction of pressure tolerance and pain thresholds may be linked to the alterations of neuroendocrine substances. Literature recommend a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in management of fibromyalgia.
The pathophysiologic mechanisms in fibromyalgia appear multiple and interdependent. With the aim to optimizing treatment, investigations are necessary to determine biochemical repercussions of various therapeutic approaches.