Date sent:      	Tue, 25 Jun 2002 

A six year prospective study of a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia.

Ann Rheum Dis 2002 Jul;61(7):644-5

Baumgartner E, Finckh A, Cedraschi C, Vischer TL.
Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the long term prognosis in patients with fibromyalgia
(FM).

METHODS: Forty five of 70 patients who had participated in a three week trial
six years earlier completed again the same questionnaires used previously.

RESULTS: Most symptoms had remained stable. Pain had increased, but some
aspects of quality of life had improved over time.

CONCLUSION: Symptoms of FM persisted over the six years, but patients
appeared better able to cope with them.

PMID: 12079910