The researchers noted that few long term studies of FM patients had been published. Patients ranged in age from 29 to 71 years and included 47 women and one man. They were all examined by the same physician using the ACR criteria. Clinical symptoms, tender points, laboratory tests and muscle function were studied and the patients were asked to report whether the symptoms were stable, worse or better in comparison with the onset of the disease and what factors influenced the intensity of the symptoms. The results concluded that fibromyalgia is a chronic muscular pain disorder with muscle pain, fatigue and stiffness as the main symptoms.
Symptoms remain stable over years.
The muscle function is markedly reduced and the condition has a marked impact on work capacity.