What is fibromyalgia?

• A. Pain in a joint.
• B. Acute back pain.
• C. Inflammation in a joint.
• D. Chronic muscle and soft tissue pain.

Answer: (D)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread pain in the muscles and other soft tissues throughout the body, often accompanied by fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties. It is not a problem of a single joint, and there is no objective inflammation in the joints, which is why it differs from inflammatory joint diseases. The pain tends to be diffuse and persists for months, reflecting a central-sensitization process rather than acute tissue injury. Diagnosis is clinical, based on symptoms and the exclusion of other conditions, and management typically involves a multidisciplinary approach with exercise, sleep improvement, stress management, and, when appropriate, medications.