Fibromyalgia Syndrome Assessment and Management

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction. Its pathophysiology centres on central sensitisation, whereby the central nervous system amplifies nociceptive signals in the absence of clear tissue injury. Assessment relies on patient-reported symptom inventories and physical examination to apply criteria such as the polysymptomatic distress scale, which evaluates widespread pain and associated symptoms, and instruments like the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire to quantify functional impairment. Objective biomarkers remain elusive, so diagnosis is clinical and often delayed. Management adopts a multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach combining pharmacological therapies—such as certain antidepressants and anticonvulsants—with non-pharmacological strategies. Exercise programmes, cognitive behavioural therapy and patient education form the cornerstone of care. Emerging digital platforms support long-term monitoring and self-management. Global health systems increasingly recognise the economic and social burden of fibromyalgia, reinforcing the need for accessible, evidence-based interventions that address pain, psychological wellbeing and quality of life.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Fibromyalgia Syndrome Assessment and Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in fibromyalgia syndrome assessment and management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Central sensitisation: Heightened responsiveness of central nociceptive pathways leading to amplified pain perception without corresponding tissue damage.

Polysymptomatic distress scale (PSD): A composite score assessing the extent of widespread pain and severity of associated fibromyalgia symptoms.

Telerehabilitation: Delivery of rehabilitative services—such as exercise guidance, monitoring and education—via remote communication technologies.

Biomarker: A measurable indicator of biological processes or responses, sought in fibromyalgia for diagnostic or prognostic purposes but not yet validated.

References

1. Fibromyalgia: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options Update. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
2. The Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR): validation and psychometric properties. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2009).
3. Micro-inflammation related gene signatures are associated with clinical features and immune status of fibromyalgia. Journal of Translational Medicine (2023).
4. The Efficacy and Safety of Telerehabilitation for Fibromyalgia: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of Medical Internet Research (2023).
5. Anti-satellite glia cell IgG antibodies in fibromyalgia patients are related to symptom severity and to metabolite concentrations in thalamus and rostral anterior cingulate cortex. Brain Behavior and Immunity (2023).