Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex and multifaceted disorder that affects approximately 2-4% of the population, predominantly middle-aged women.

Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties, fibromyalgia poses significant challenges for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Despite extensive research efforts, the underlying cause of fibromyalgia remains elusive; however, emerging evidence suggests that it may involve abnormalities in neuroendocrine function and central nervous system processing of pain signals.

Diagnosis is primarily clinical based on characteristic symptoms as there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests available.

Management of fibromyalgia typically consists of a multidimensional approach including pharmacotherapy (e.g., analgesics, antidepressants), physical therapy, psychological interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

Although fibromyalgia cannot be cured completely, early diagnosis and comprehensive management strategies can significantly improve patients’ quality of life by reducing pain severity and enhancing functional capacity.

Ongoing research efforts aim to unravel the pathogenesis underlying this debilitating condition in order to develop more targeted therapeutic approaches for this often-misunderstood disorder.