The fictional Fibromyalgia can be detected with current validated questionnaires and clinical instruments

-the rheumatologists often care for patients that simulate having Fibromyalgia for the sole purpose of achieving a temporary or permanent incapacity for work

– En Spain is estimated that nearly one million people suffering from this disease and that between 15 and 50% has to leave his job for this condition

-published work provides classification criteria that allow validating the demand of patients with fibromyalgia with more objectivity

Madrid, 2011-August Fibromyalgia is a cause of growing hiperfrecuenciación in the consultations of the rheumatologists and oftenThere are patients who pretend to suffer from this disease in order to obtain a temporary or permanent incapacity for work resulting in a high socio-economic cost. However, the suspicion of simulation is corroborated by a specific and comprehensive exploration in subjects with possible fictional Fibromyalgia and currently there are clinical tools that detect the appearance ”, concludes Dr. Rafael Belenguer, the Hospital 9 de Octubre in Valencia rheumatologist and who has just carried out an investigation on this topic.

The objective of this study has been to validate the existence of a symptomatic pattern in simulators of fibromyalgia. Possible deception of the patients were analysed using validated and objective evidence for this. 211 Patients from 25 to 65 years (mostly women) were included in specific, diagnosed consecutively Fibromyalgia with work paid from May 2006 until November of 2010 and controlled the Hospital Rheumatology consultation 9 October Valencia.

This research entitled are there fictional Fibromyalgia? Keys to their detection with regard to the analysis of 211 patients who meet criteria ARC 1990-2010 Fibromyalgia ” has been awarded as best communication in the 14th Congress of the Valencian society of Rheumatology and, in the opinion of Dr. Belenguer, this work provides classification criteria that allow validating the demand of patients with fibromyalgia more objectively ”.

The pattern of simulation or fictitious Fibromyalgia can be detected by clinical instruments that we have now, because those who feign tend to express values abnormally elevated or lowered in response to the exploration ”, as it has been explained the specialist. So – has been added – standard and comprehensive determination of exploratory Fibromyalgia pattern must allow the correct classification of patients.

In this study was defined as possible simulation case patients with prolonged temporary incapacity that requested report by gravity, and was considered as a control group of patients with fibromyalgia as evolution with temporary incapacity short or interrupted or absence of this failure. It was noted that those affected with a misleading Fibromyalgia expressed values too high or low in response to the evidence, both those relating to points painful to not painful points, fatigue, FIQ, 6 minutes walk, allodynia and questionnaire London Handicap Scale ”, has detailed the Dr Belenguer.

Updated classification criteria

Currently, there is a diagnostic test to indicate one hundred per cent reliable way that the patient suffers from Fibromyalgia, so you have to resort to different criteria, such as the scales of pain or quality of life.

Last year agreed new criteria for classification of fibromyalgia far more specific than the existing so far – marked by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) – and that could happen to patients not suffering from the disease were diagnosed and vice versa, since that took into account mainly pain and trigger points. Now, we have also included many aspects of the symptoms of this pathology of rheumatic, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and cognitive disorders.

A high number of industrial casualties

The prevalence of fibromyalgia in Spain is estimated at 2.3 per cent, according to the study EPISER of the being, which is almost one million affected by this disease in the country. And its prevalence is much more common in women (95% of cases).

Fibromyalgia belongs to central sensitization disorders and is characterized by chronic widespread pain lasts more than three months and the patient is located in the locomotive. Pain, intense fatigue, stiff joints, sleep disturbances, depression and headaches are some of the most common clinical manifestations. If the problem is not diagnosed or not appropriate intervention is performed, the quality of life of the patient deteriorates gradually, appearing disability in varying degrees.

This disease is considered the most common cause of diffuse chronic musculoskeletal pain and is one of the reasons you lower labor produces. According to various investigations, from 15 up to 50% of the patients has to leave his job.

Similar to the causes of Fibromyalgia are unknown, there is no curative therapy. Therefore, the treatment of this condition includes certain types of drugs – antidepressants, painkillers and anticonvulsants-, aerobic exercise carried out gradually and in a constant manner, and psychological therapies to teach the patient to cope with their illness.

Spanish society of Rheumatology (be)

The Spanish Rheumatology society (be) has as its mission work and interact actively and positively with all actors of interest in the field of the Rheumatology. To this end, among other activities, promotes the study of rheumatic diseases – diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue-, develops work, studies and research projects in rheumatology and addresses problems related to the specialty. It also provides support to patients of rheumatic diseases through its relationship with associations comprising mainly to patients. In the area of teaching, the be carries out a wide range of courses on all areas of the Rheumatology and held two symposia case and a Congress every year. Today, SER represents nearly 1,500 professionals in Spain and maintains contact with regional societies of Rheumatology of the entire country.