The term 'Diffuse and Regional Pain Syndromes' is a subset of which broad category?

• A. Non-articular Rheumatism
• B. Articular diseases
• C. Systemic autoimmune diseases
• D. Infectious diseases

Answer: (A)

Diffuse and regional pain syndromes arise from soft tissues around the joints—muscles, tendons, ligaments, and related structures—rather than from the joints themselves. In rheumatology, disorders are often categorized as articular (centered on joints) or non-articular (soft tissue rheumatism). Because these syndromes involve soft tissues and not primary joint disease, they fit best under non-articular rheumatism. This umbrella includes conditions like fibromyalgia and various myofascial or tendinous pain syndromes. They aren’t primarily systemic autoimmune diseases or infectious diseases, nor are they disorders that primarily involve the joints, which is why the other broad categories don’t apply.