RESEARCH - Delay in diagnosis significantly impacts lives of fibromyalgia patients

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Delay In Diagnosis Significantly Impacts Lives Of Patients With Fibromyalgia

MedicalNewToday.com

Article Date: 23 Nov 2010 - 3:00 PST

Results released from a national survey of U.S. women with

fibromyalgia, illustrate the private and prolonged physical and

emotional struggles patients with this condition face, underscored by

delays in diagnosis, which a majority of respondents report as being

one year or longer. As a result of fibromyalgia, two thirds (67%) of

respondents say they are unable to keep up with household chores,

nearly half (47%) report that their work life or career has been

negatively affected, and two in five (42%) spend less quality time

with their friends. Nearly one third (31%) say fibromyalgia has

negatively affected their ability to experience intimacy.

Fibromyalgia is a condition marked by chronic, widespread pain and

tenderness, and decreased physical function. It affects six to 12

million Americans, mostly women, three-quarters of whom are estimated

to be undiagnosed. Results of the 48-state, 508-person survey were

released by HealthyWomen.org, the nation's leading independent source

of health information for women. The survey was sponsored by Forest

Laboratories, Inc.

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