OBJECTIVES: To provide an update on advances in pain research and practical guidelines for pain management in the rheumatic diseases. METHODS: A selected literature review and authors' conference consensus. RESULTS: There is emerging evidence that augmented pain regulation, as found in fibromyalgia, is important in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These findings are applicable to optimal management paradigms in the rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Fibromyalgia and other forms of chronic widespread pain have taught us important lessons about pain epidemiology and pain pathways.
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