Which description matches the widespread pain criterion for fibromyalgia?

• A. Pain in all four body quadrants and axial skeleton for more than 3 months
• B. Pain localized to one joint
• C. Pain only at night
• D. Pain relieved by NSAIDs

Answer: (A)

Widespread, chronic pain across the body is the feature being tested. In fibromyalgia, the widespread pain criterion means pain present in all four body quadrants plus the axial skeleton for more than 3 months. This distribution shows the diffuse, non-localized nature of fibromyalgia pain, rather than being confined to a single joint or region.

Localizing to one joint isn’t fibromyalgia because the syndrome affects multiple regions. Pain only at night doesn’t reflect the persistent, widespread distribution that characterizes the condition. Pain that is relieved by NSAIDs suggests other etiologies, since fibromyalgia pain is not primarily inflammatory and often does not respond consistently to NSAIDs alone.

Thus, the description of pain in all four body quadrants and the axial skeleton for more than 3 months best matches the widespread pain criterion for fibromyalgia.