FIBROMYALGIA: IS IT A RHEUMATIC DISEASE?

Fibromylagia (FM) is a complex chronic condition usually presenting with symptoms of widespread pain and fatigue, as well as sleep and cognitive disorders. The diagnosis is made by exclusion of other diseases and according to the EULAR criteria. The treatment of the disease is multidisciplinary and associated with a better understanding of the disease pathophysiology. The most commonly used drugs are tricylic antidepressants (TCA), serotonin and noradrenalin uptake inhibitors (SNRI), anticonvulsants, and opioids. For the purpose of reducing the patient’s overall symptom burden, adjunctive therapy with medicines targeted at specific symptoms, including sleep disorders, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, or autoimmune diseases, should be considered. Current therapeutic models neither completely treat FM symptoms nor benefit all patients; therefore, further research on new therapeutic approaches is needed.