Fibromyalgia. Part II. Prevalence in the podiatric patient population.

This study was designed to determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia in the podiatric patient population. A total of 355 consecutive patients in a podiatric outpatient clinic were evaluated to determine whether they met the criteria for this condition. Eight of the 355 patients were diagnosed with the condition. Thirty-five of 355 patients presented with plantar heel or arch pain. Seven of these 35 patients satisfied the criteria for fibromyalgia. This small study indicates that fibromyalgia may be more prevalent in podiatric patients than previously realized and must be considered in patients presenting with foot pain, especially if that pain is in the area of the plantar aspect of the heel or arch.