Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2004;58:877-882
A general population study of fibromyalgia tender points in noninstitutionalized adults with chronic widespread pain.
White KP, Harth M, Speechley M, Ostbye T.
Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. kevin.white@lhsc.on.ca
OBJECTIVE: To assess the distribution and predictive ability of fibromyalgia (FM) tender points (TP) in adults with chronic widespread pain. METHODS: Using published classification criteria, we confirmed 100 FM cases and 76 controls with widespread pain not meeting the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for FM (pain controls) in a survey of 3,395 adults screened for widespread musculoskeletal pain in a general population survey. RESULTS: At each of the 18 FM tender points, FM cases were more likely than pain controls to have tenderness, and the likelihood ratio (LR) was statistically greater than 1.0 for 13 of 18 points. However, the LR for individual points ranged from 4.0 to as low as 1.2. Females were more likely to have TP, especially at lower body points; however, lower body points were more discriminatory in males. CONCLUSION: TP differ in their ability to predict FM among adults in the general population with chronic widespread pain.
CFS Prevalence research:
There has not yet been a Canadian prevalence study on CFS.
1999 DePaul University Prevalence Study (Chicago): Leonard Jason, PhD, building on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other research institutions, this DePaul group found that about 900,000 Americans would meet the very stringent case definition for CFS, although only 10% would have been properly diagnosed. Jason Leonard is now engaged in a follow-up study with the original Chicago co-hort, providing an opportunity to follow the course of the illness over time. Jason Leonard is considered one of the top CFS researchers in the world, measured in terms of funding and peer-reviewed publications.
The Prevalence of CFS: A Review of Efforts --Past and Present
Leonard A. Jason PhD, Genevieve Fitzgibbon, Renee Taylor, Stephanie
Taylor, Lynne Wagner, Sharon Johnson; DePaul University. G. Wendell
Richmond MD, Morris Papernik MD; Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical
Center. Audrius V. Plioplys MD, FRCPC and Sigita Plioplys MD; Mercy
Hospital and Medical Center. David Lipkin MD; Northwestern Medical
School. Joseph Ferrari PhD; Cazenovia College.
Another source - an interview with Dr. Jason
Canadian Research, a sampling
Leora Swartzman
Associate Professor, Clinical
The University of Western Ontario
How do people distinguish between conventional and complementary/alternative medicine (CAM): An examination within the context of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Making the implicit ‘explicit’: Multivariate statistical approaches to assessing individuals’ implicit views of chronic pain and its treatment
Dr. William O. (Liam) Martin
Faculty of Medicine (Medical School)
University of Calgary
Can mineral supplements improve the health of fibromyalgia sufferers?
"A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Nutrient Supplement in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia"
Fibromyalgia is a common disorder for which there is no known cure. This study will assess the effectiveness of mineral supplements in treating the disorder.
Dr. William O. (Liam) Martin
Faculty of Medicine (Medical School)
University of Calgary
Can exercise help in the treatment of fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is described as a chronic condition that causes aches and pains throughout the body. An estimated two to 10 percent of the general population suffer from the disorder, and some of them are on long-term disability. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a long-term exercise and self-management program in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
"An Education and Exercise Program in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia"
Wessel, Jean, PhD.
Physical Therapist
McMaster University
(King S, Wessel J, Bhambhani Y, Maksymowych W, Scholter D: Validity and reliability of the six minute walk in persons with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 26:2233-2237, 1999)
Do exercise and education help women with fibromyalgia?
The chronic pain of fibromyalgia results in major disability and handicap for sufferers. It carries a financial cost in health care and in time lost from work. This study determines whether separate exercise and education programs are equally effective at relieving symptoms, or whether a combined exercise and education program is of most benefit to patients.
"An Evaluation of the Effect of Exercise and Education for Women with Fibromyalgia"
Dr. Patrick McGrath
Pediatric Pain Research Lab
Psychiatry
Psychology
Dalhousie Medical School
Reducing pain and disability in adolescents with fibromyalgia: A randomized-controlled trial
Candice Lou Schachter
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy
Department of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
The effects of short vs long bouts of exercise in sedentary women with fibromyalgia: a randomized clinical trial
Dr. Kevin White
Division of Rheumatology
University of Western Ontario
The London fibromyalgia epidemiology study
Click here for Dr. White's Publication List
Ann McDermid, PhD.
Department of Psychology
London Health Sciences Centre
Generalized Hypervigilance in Chronic Pain Patients (Thesis (Ph.D.))
University of British Columbia
FM-CFS Canada volunteers took part in a study
on the use of the Web and other information sources to find health information on fibromyalgia.
Participation involved completion of a questionnaire,
with the option to participate further in an in-depth interview.
The study was conducted by Christine Marton, Instructor II at the
University of British Columbia School of Library, Archival and Information Studies
and is funded by the University of British Columbia SSHRC Grant #35R7778.
Institute for Population Health
University of Ottawa
The Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group (CMSG) is a specialized group of health care professionals, researchers and consumer representatives that belong to the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that aims to help people make-well informed decisions about health care by preparing, maintaining and promoting reviews of the effects of health care treatments.
The scope of topics we aim to cover is outlined on our website at http://www.cochranemsk.org/cmsg/topics/default.asp?s=1
There are currently three Cochrane reviews on FM (Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain in working age adults, Mind-body therapies for the treatment of fibromyalgia and Exercise for treating FM).
We are keen to develop more reviews examining the evidence for all available interventions for the prevention and treatment of FM. It would be terrific to hear from members of your group regarding their views on which topics/treatments should be priority areas for development of new reviews. If members were interested in reviewing reports and providing feedback that would also be valuable.
Also, we have been working with a group in Ottawa, led by Annette O’Connor, to develop Patient Decision Aids. These are available through the web at http://www.ohri.ca/DecisionAid/.
Toronto Psychiatric Research Foundation
Our group continues to be actively engaged in researching novel medications to improve the well-being of such people. Current efforts involve a double blind, placebo-controlled novel drug for improving sleep and symptoms of fibromyalgia. Prospective interested people with fibromyalgia in the Toronto region who are prepared to be off all medications for fibromyalgia and do not have any serious medical or psychiatric problems can contact Angela Cesta, Research Co-ordinator at the Toronto Psychiatric Research Foundation, 340 College St. Suite 220A, Toronto M5T 3A9. Her phone number is 416-323-2008.
