Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is associated with chronic widespread pain, mood alteration, and disability. A definitive treatment plan has not been identified. The genesis of FMS is unclear and generally occurs in women.
To determine whether patient-identified most disruptive comorbidity (MDC) secondary to FMS may have mediated recovery for individual patients. This is a probative analysis of data from an effectiveness study published in the March 2006 issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. (2006;12(2):34-41.)
The American College ofRheumatology (ACR) criteria for FMS was used in participant selection; 21 participants completed the study.
The original outcome study indicated significant changes on standardized measures using specific points and numbers of treatment within an 8-week period. The preliminary data on influence ofMDC on improvement were differential related to self-report MDC by patients.
For all MDCs combined, participants experienced significant improvement at 8 weeks of treatment. Participants with irritable bowel syndrome as their MDC generally had a lower percentage of improvement than other MDC cohort groups. This finding has implications for treatment.