What are the ACR criteria for fibromyalgia?

While the development and research involved in The Preliminary Proposed Diagnostic Criteria, PPDC, (1) and its modification (2) is extensive and a move in the right direction, concerns arise.

Though it is suggested, the first part, the widespread pain index (WPI) does not demand a physical exam, which is generally the accepted standard of care. The second part of the preliminary PPDC, the symptom severity index (SSI), considers two things; one, the severity of fatigue, unrefreshed sleep and cognitive difficulties (which are primary to FM), and two, consideration of symptoms of comorbid disorders, not primary to fibromyalgia and the list in the preliminary PDDC was extensive looking at symptoms of comorbid conditions of hypothyroidism, SICCA, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder and/or interstitial cystitis, pelvic floor and sexual dysfunction (male and female), migraine, medication side effects, chronic fatigue syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren’s, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, TMJ, Raynaud’s, multiple chemical sensitivities, leaky gut syndrome, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, bruxism, restless leg syndrome, postural orthostatic hypotension, neurally mediated hypotension, and myofascial pain syndrome, but not stated as such. The modification to the PDDC emphasizes only, headache, pain or cramps in lower abdomen, and depression over the past 6 months.

Read more at my blog “A Comprehensive Review on the Proposed and Modified Diagnostics for Fibromyalgia” at http://www.sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper/blog/post/c08fa9da-6aa8-4dc9-bcbc-91f149683653

(1) Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, Goldenberg DL, Katz RS, Mease P, Russell AS, Russell IJ, Winfield JB, Yunus MB: The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 62(5):600-10, 2010 May.
(2) Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, Goldenberg DL, Häuser W, Katz RS, Mease P, Russell AS, Russell IJ, Winfield JB: Fibromyalgia Criteria and Severity Scales for Clinical and Epidemiological Studies: A Modification of the ACR Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 38;1113-1122, 2011.

All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press and are not meant to replace medical advice. http://www.thesethree.com