Definition, classification and diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome

Background. Interdisciplinary guidelines for the definition, classification and diagnosis of chronic widespread pain (CWP) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) were developed by collaboration of 10 German medical and psychological associations and 2 patient self-help organizations. Methods. A systematic literature search was performed in the Cochrane Library (1993-12/2006), Medline (1980-2006), PsychInfo (1966-12/2006), and Scopus (1980-12/2006). Levels of evidence were assigned according to the classification system of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Grading of the strength of recommendation was done according to the German program for disease management guidelines. Standardized procedures to reach a consensus on recommendations were used. Results. CWP is defined by the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR - strong consensus). FMS can be diagnosed for clinical purposes by symptom-based criteria (without tender point examination) as well as by the ACR criteria (strong consensus).