Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Oxford Rheumatology Library)

Book Preface

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is not a new medical condition, although the term has only been used since 1990 when the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria were published. Numerous names, including muscular rheumatism, myalgia, interstitial fibrositis, myofascitis, and myofascial pain, had been used to describe this condition prior to 1990. Although the term ‘fibromyalgia syndrome’ may not be ideal, it does not imply causation and describes the commonest symptom—chronic widespread pain. For the present, ‘fibromyalgia syndrome’ seems an appropriate compromise.