Clinical criteria and diagnostic assessment of fibromyalgia: position statement of the Italian Society of Neurology-Neuropathic Pain Study Group

Abstract

Background: The role of central and/or peripheral nervous system dysfunction is basically fundamental in fibromyalgia.

Aim: The aim of this position statement on behalf of the Neuropathic Pain Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology is to give practical guidelines for the clinical and instrumental assessment of fibromyalgia (FM) in the neurological clinical practice, taking into consideration recent studies.

Methods: Criteria for study selection and consideration were original studies, case-controls design, use of standardized methodologies for clinical practice, and FM diagnosis with ACR criteria (2010, 2011, 2016).

Results: ACR criteria were revised. For diagnostic procedure of small-fiber pathology, 47 studies were totally considered. Recent diagnostic criteria should be applied (ACR, 2016). A rheumatologic visit seems mandatory. The involvement of small fibers should request at least 2 among HRV + SSR and/or laser-evoked responses and/or skin biopsy and/or corneal confocal microscopy, eventually followed by monitoring of metabolic and/or immunological/ and or/paraneoplastic basis, to be repeated at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions: The correct diagnostic approach to FM could promote the exclusion of the known causes of small-fiber impairment. The research toward common genetic factors would be useful to promote a more specific therapeutic approach.

Keywords: Corneal confocal microscopy; Diagnostic criteria; Fibromyalgia; Heart rate variability; Laser-evoked potentials; Skin biopsy; Small-fiber neuropathy.