Fibromyalgia Unveiled

Fibromyalgia Unveiled: Advancing Outcomes Through Early Recognition and Diagnosis

Following this presentation, attendees should be familiar with the following:

• Fibromyalgia epidemiology, prevalence, and clinical presentation 
• Complexity of the disease state, including the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia
• Quality of life and socioeconomic impact of fibromyalgia on patients
• Evolution of diagnosis and current guidelines that can aid in improving patient identification and diagnoses

               Fibromyalgia is a condition with complex symptomatology, widespread chronic pain, tenderness, fatigue, brain fog, and unrefreshing sleep, that significantly impacts quality of life and presents a socioeconomic burden for >10 million adults in the US and their caregivers alike. Fibromyalgia alters the processing of pain through biochemical means and exacerbates chronic pain and flare-ups of comorbid conditions via the gut-brain axis.

               The physical symptoms (chronic pain, fatigue, difficulty performing basic tasks and longer recovery due to poor sleep) and mental symptoms (impaired cognition, hopelessness, frustration, anxiety, and depression) of fibromyalgia can strain personal relationships and impair social and economic wellness of both patients and the medical system. Historically, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia was complicated by the lack of objective clinical markers and the overlap of fibromyalgia with other conditions; however, advances in the American College of Rheumatology guidelines from 2016 improve and expand the criteria for patient diagnosis, significantly reducing the time for patient identification and initiation of treatment. 

                The goal of this program is to increase education and awareness of fibromyalgia to aid healthcare providers in identifying key aspects of disease pathophysiology and to improve diagnoses to ensure adequate healthcare for the millions of patients suffering with this debilitating disease, with the ultimate aim of improving overall quality of life.