Giesecke et al identified subgroups in patients with fibromyalgia. These groups differ in their physical and psychological features, which has implications for management. The authors are from the University of Michigan, Georgetown University and the Academy of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.
Parameters:
(1) tenderness (based on dolorimetry and random pressure-pain applied at supra-threshold levels)
(2) distress (depression, anxiety and catastrophizing)
(3) control over pain
Tenderness
Distress
Control over Pain
Group
low
moderate
moderate
cluster 1
high
high
low
cluster 2
high
low
high
cluster 3
Group
Interventions to Consider
cluster 1
may not require interventions if distress manageable
