Brazilian Society of Rheumatology’s fibromyalgia treatment guidelines – part I: monitoring and non-pharmacological management
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Fibromyalgia is one of the most prevalent rheumatologic conditions, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by widespread chronic pain accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairments. In Brazil, fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatologic disorder, with a reported prevalence ranging from 2.5% to 5.5%, leading to a substantial economic burden due to high direct and indirect healthcare costs. The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia involves alterations in central pain processing, often in conjunction with comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome, which exacerbate symptom severity and negatively impact patients’ quality of life. Effective management requires a structured, interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes treatment adherence and patient education. This guidelines from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR) provide an updated review of the 2010 recommendations, incorporating recent evidence to refine both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies, and are presented in two separate articles, covering aspects of patient monitoring, non-pharmacological interventions, and pharmacological treatments. This approach underscores commitment to comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered care. This first article focuses on the evaluation of monitoring strategies and non-pharmacological interventions for managing fibromyalgia.Fibromyalgia is one of the most prevalent rheumatologic conditions, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by widespread chronic pain accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairments. In Brazil, fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatologic disorder, with a reported prevalence ranging from 2.5% to 5.5%, leading to a substantial economic burden due to high direct and indirect healthcare costs.The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia involves alterations in central pain processing, often in conjunction with comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome, which exacerbate symptom severity and negatively impact patients’ quality of life. Effective management requires a structured, interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes treatment adherence and patient education.This guidelines from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR) provide an updated review of the 2010 recommendations, incorporating recent evidence to refine both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies, and are presented in two separate articles, covering aspects of patient monitoring, non-pharmacological interventions, and pharmacological treatments. This approach underscores commitment to comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered care.This first article focuses on the evaluation of monitoring strategies and non-pharmacological interventions for managing fibromyalgia.
Authors: Roberto Ezequiel Heymann, Marcelo Cruz Rezende, Alessandra de Sousa Braz, Aline Ranzolin, Ana Paula Monteiro Gomides Reis, Andrea Pimentel Fonseca Golmia, Anna Beatriz Assad Maia, Denison Santos Silva, Eduardo dos Santos Paiva, Fernando Augusto Chiuchetta, Gabriela Tannus Branco de Araújo, Izabela Guimarães, José Eduardo Martinez, José Roberto Provenza, Juliana Maria de Freitas Trindade Costa, Marcos Paulo Veloso Correia, Marco Antonio Gonçalves Pontes Filho, Marco Aurelio Goldenfum, Marcos Aurelio de Freitas Machado, Marcos Renato de Assis, Melissa Mariti Fraga, Nilton Salles Rosa Neto, Rafael Navarrete Fernandez
Institutions: Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia, Brazilian Medical Association, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Hospital Universitário Lauro Wanderley, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, University Center of Brasília, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade Tiradentes, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, International Association for the Study of Pain, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Universidade de Santo Amaro, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
OpenAlex ID: W7124443857