Many doctors don't understand fibromyalgia condition - study

Generalist doctors, and even many specialists, have relatively poor knowledge of the American College of Rheumatology 1990 and 2010 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria, according to results of a survey conducted in Canada. "Physicians do not have adequate and homogeneous knowledge of the fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria. Approximately half of physicians did not adhere to the criteria. Poor knowledge and adherence . . . may increase diagnosis delays and misdiagnoses. Knowledge translation strategies should be implemented to address this problem," lead author Dr Dinesh Kumbhare of the University of Toronto and his coauthors write in Pain Medicine. "I think most physicians are aware of fibromyalgia, although many still 'don't believe in it' and communicate this (lack of belief) to their patients. Even among physicians who accept the science and existence of fibromyalgia, there is lack of understanding of it, which hampers their ability to effectively communicate about it with their patients," Dr. Eric L. Matteson, a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minnesota, told Reuters Health by email. "In general, the results are unsurprising and...