The objective of the present study was to perform a literature review, in an exploratory and analytical way, to determine the research approach in fibromyalgia and chronic pain descriptors related to the matter of information technology. In order to achieve this goal, a bibliographic survey in the electronic databases SciELO, LILACS and PUBMED was carried out. The search for articles was made exclusively in journals found in these databases, and only those published from 1998 to 2008 were considered for the study. The results showed a great variety of assessment questionnaires for fibromyalgia syndrome, among which the following questionnaires stood out in number of citations in articles: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Quality of Life Assessment-SF-36 Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), American College of Rheumatology Criteria (ACR), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and McGill Pain Questionnaire. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was the most cited in both fibromyalgia (57%) and chronic pain (56.3%) descriptors. The association of fibromyalgia and chronic pain descriptors with the subject of information technology resulted in 26 articles, representing 9.7% of all articles found in the search. There was also a considerable increase in the number of research carried through during the years 1998-2007, with an annual growth rate of 26%.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is characterised by chronic widespread pain and tender points on palpation. FMS is associated with depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disorders, and functional bowel disorders that can intensify painful feelings, altering functional capacity and quality of life. The health provider usually identifies these conditions through assessment and monitoring tools and recordsthe results on paper. Failure to use electronic information systems, which have specific methodology for the integration of Health Information Systems, hampers the applicability of these methods in clinical practice and does not allow visualisation and comparison of the results in a simple manner. Objective: To propose an information system for assessing and monitoring patients with FMS (SISFIBRO). Method: The first phase consisted of data collection to select evaluation and monitoring methods used by doctors, physical therapists, rheumatologists, and specialists in fibromyalgia. Next, we performed the modelling of the system in the Unified Modelling Language (UML). Based on the diagram of classes, we performed conceptual data modelling with entity-relationship diagrams. The prototype was implemented with the SISFIBRO Oracle database. Below, we included data from 36 patients with FMS to analyse whether the system provided all of the information and necessary functions. Results: In Brazil, most of the professionals (82.4%) record and store patient data on paper charts, and 17.6% do so using electronic systems. The most widely used instruments and methods arethe visual analogue scale (VAS) SF-36, theFibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), evaluation of tender points according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and the Beck Depression Scale; all are available in SISFIBRO. We developed 1 diagram of use, 1 diagram of classes, 6 diagrams of objects, and 5 diagrams of sequences. We decided that SISFIBRO must be integrated with the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for the recording, storing, sharing, and retrieving of the information. This integration will assist in the clinical practice of health professionals. Conclusion: It was possible to create a system with the reliability needed to support and improve the assessment and treatment of FMS.