To develop criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia, we studied 558 consecutive patients: 293 patients with fibromyalgia and 265 control patients. Interviews and examinations were performed by trained, blinded assessors. Control patients for the group with primary fibromyalgia were matched for age and sex, and limited to patients with disorders that could be confused with primary fibromyalgia. Control patients for the group with secondary-concomitant fibromyalgia were matched for age, sex, and concomitant rheumatic disorders. Widespread pain (axial plus upper and lower segment plus left-and right-sided pain) was found in 97.6% of all patients with fibromyalgia and in 69.1% of all control patients. The combination of widespread pain and mild or greater tenderness in 2 11 of 18 tender point sites yielded a sensitivity of 88.4% and a specificity of 81

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Since patients with either jibromyalgia syndrome (FS) or low magnesium (Mg) levels can have fatigue, sleep disturbance and anxiety, it was necessary to determine i f some patients with FS also have low Mg levels. Both red blood cell (RBC) and plasma Mg levels were measured in 100 consecutive FS patients and 12 osteoarthritis (OA) control patients. Compared to reference laboratory and OA controls, FS patients had significantly lower RBC Mg levels. The plasma Mg levels of FS patients were no different than the reference laboratory or OA controls. Some FS patients have low Mg levels, a problem that is potentially correctable.

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