How Is FM Diagnosed?
For the most part, routine laboratory testing reveals nothing. However, upon physical examination, patients will be sensitive to pressure in certain areas of the body, called tender points. To meet the diagnostic criteria (set forth for research purposes), patients must have widespread pain in all four quadrants of their body for a minimum duration of three months and at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points. The 18 sites used for diagnosis cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee, and elbow regions. However, if a person has widespread pain, at least six or more tender points and many of the commonly associated symptoms of FM (such as disturbed sleep, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, frequent headaches, fatigue, and memory problems), they should still be diagnosed and treated for FM. Roughly 75% of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)-diagnosed patients will meet the FM criteria.
