The diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia by the American College of Rheumatology is “widespread pain and mild or greater tenderness in greater than or equal to 11 of 18 tender point sites. (sensitivity of 88.4% and a specificity of 81.1%)
By this definition, some patients with widespread pain will not meet the diagnostic criteria of having fibromyalgia. Does the diagnosis change if a fibromyalgia patient’s condition improves with exercise so that she drops 1 point to 10 of 18 tender points?
The American College of Rheumatology 1990 Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia.
Arthritis Rheum. 1990 Feb;33(2):160-72.
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