There is no single, specific diagnostic laboratory test for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Before being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you can go through several medical tests such as blood tests and X-rays, only the results are normal (although these tests can rule out other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis , can not confirm fibromyalgia).
The American College of Rheumatology has established general classification guidelines to help in the evaluation and study of fibromyalgia. These criteria, known informally as the "ACR 1990" define fibromyalgia according to the presence of the following criteria:
Widespread pain. A history of widespread pain lasting more than three months - affecting all four quadrants of the body (left side, right side, above the waist and below the waist).
Sensitive points. There are 18 possible tender points or trigger (even if a person with the syndrome may feel pain in other areas). Tender points are located on each side of the neck, chest, upper back, lower back, spine, buttocks, knees, or on the inside of each arm where it bends at the elbow.
The patient must feel pain at 11 or more of these points for fibromyalgia to be considered. Four kilograms of force required is the amount of whitening thumbnails under the application of pressure.
This set of criteria was developed by the American College of Rheumatology as a way to diagnose clinical and research purposes of fibromyalgia. Although these guidelines were originally established for research purposes and not for clinical diagnosis, have become de facto diagnostic criteria in clinical settings.
All doctors agree with these guidelines. Some believe they are too rigid and may have fibromyalgia, even if you do not complete the required number of tender points. Others wonder about the amount of reliable and sensitive points are valid as a diagnostic tool.
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