Review article
Memory and its dysfunctions in fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a rheumatological disease, characterized by a feeling of stiffness all over the body, generalized pain and the occurrence of painful sites called “tender points”. It usually affects women between the age of 35 and 55. A person with FM suffers from pain diffused throughout the body, radiating from the lumbar spine on top, along the spine to the back of the head, the shoulders, elbows and hands, or down to the hips, knees and ankles. Pain is accompanied by the feeling of exhaustion and concentration problems, which often impede even simple tasks. Due to the lack of scientific consensus on the causes, varied symptoms and the lack of markers of inflammation in the body, especially in the joints, FM is considered to be difficult to diagnose. Neurological malfunctioning contributes to the disturbed feelings in FM. Many studies have shown that people with FM suffer from cognitive disorders, including memory disorders. They are the cause of many arduous difficulties in daily life, often making it difficult to continue working. Despite the many studies on FM and knowledge about the disease, many questions still remain unanswered. Increasingly sophisticated research techniques allow us to obtain more conclusive results, yet still there is a lack of consensus on the causes of FM, its treatment and the relationship with cognitive impairment, including memory loss. This article provides an overview of research in recent years on FM symptoms, its pathogenesis, treatment and cognitive difficulties.