Advances in the assessment of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia (FM) has historically been considered a chronic pain condition. Recent clinical studies, however, reveal that while pain may be the cardinal symptom of FM, there are many other symptoms and consequences of having FM that have an impact on the lives of individuals with this condition. As such, an area of intense clinical research has focused upon improving approaches to assessment for FM. This article provides an overview of how the art of assessing FM has evolved over time, current methods of assessment, the value of patients' perspectives in assessment, and emerging advancements representing the future of for FM.