Management Approaches in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a multisystem disorder, characterized by widespread pain that is usually associated with hyperalgesia and allodynia. Comorbidities such as fatigue, stiffness, insomnia, depression and anxiety make its classification and treatment difficult. The confluence of pain and other symptoms and conditions such as fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction contribute to the reduced function and quality of life in patients with FMS. Clinical trials have shown that optimum benefit may be obtained only with therapeutic strategies including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions taking into consideration pain severity, symptoms and functional status. The aim of this review was to summarize the current literature on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of FMS as well as to evaluate the evidence of the value of the available treatment interventions. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2012;58:136-42.