Fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria require pain on pressure at least how many tenderpoints out of 18?

Fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria require pain on pressure at least how many tenderpoints out of 18?

• A. 11 of 18 predefined tenderpoints
• B. 9 of 12 predefined tenderpoints
• C. 7 of 20 predefined tenderpoints
• D. 13 of 24 predefined tenderpoints

Answer: (A)

Fibromyalgia diagnosis historically rests on a pattern of widespread pain plus tenderness at multiple defined locations. There are 18 predefined tender points, and applying pressure to at least 4 kg at each site, a person is considered tender if pain is elicited. Meeting the threshold of tenderness at 11 or more of these 18 points indicates widespread tenderness consistent with fibromyalgia. This threshold helps distinguish generalized fibromyalgia from other localized painful conditions by requiring a substantial number of sites to be tender, not just a single area. It’s worth noting that more recent criteria have moved away from this tender-point count and focus more on symptom severity and pain distribution, but the classic criterion tested here is eleven of eighteen.

Fibromyalgia diagnosis historically rests on a pattern of widespread pain plus tenderness at multiple defined locations. There are 18 predefined tender points, and applying pressure to at least 4 kg at each site, a person is considered tender if pain is elicited. Meeting the threshold of tenderness at 11 or more of these 18 points indicates widespread tenderness consistent with fibromyalgia. This threshold helps distinguish generalized fibromyalgia from other localized painful conditions by requiring a substantial number of sites to be tender, not just a single area. It’s worth noting that more recent criteria have moved away from this tender-point count and focus more on symptom severity and pain distribution, but the classic criterion tested here is eleven of eighteen.