Thursday, May 12 is dedicated to World Fibromyalgia Day, which is characterized by chronic diffuse pain and which affects more than one in 100 adults in France. Date, origin, events, blue ribbon, numbers… All about the 29th edition of Fibromyalgia Day.
the Thursday, May 12, 2022 is dedicated to the world fibromyalgia day (and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), the main symptom of which is chronic diffuse painoften associated with other symptoms such as intense fatigue, sleep disturbances, attention and memory. The objective of this day? Raise awareness and disseminate as much information as possible to the general public, the media and the medical profession on fibromyalgia (or fibromyalgia syndrome) which would affect at least 1.6% of the French adult populationreports the Ministry of Health (between 1.4 and 2.2% of French adults according toInserm). Fibromyalgia has been recognized in 1992 by the World Health Organization. But because of its heterogeneous clinical manifestations, a difficult diagnosis and its great variability in its severity, fibromyalgia remains, even today, a complex disease to understand. Date, origin, actions, ribbon… All about the 29th edition of World Fibromyalgia Day.
What is the origin of Fibromyalgia Day?
May 12 is a symbolic date that was not chosen at random to “celebrate” fibromyalgia. This is the birthday of Florence Nightingalea nurse born in 1820 in Great Britain who, despite her severe form of fibromyalgia (she spent the last 50 years of her life bedridden), created the Foundation of the International Red Cross as well as the first school of nurses.
When is Fibromyalgia Day?
Fibromyalgia Day takes place this year on Thursday, May 12, 2022. it’s about the 29th edition.
Why wear a blue ribbon for Fibromyalgia Day?
To support fibromyalgia patients, each of us is invited to wear on our clothes or bag a pin or a blue ribbonsymbol of the recognition of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, created in 2006 by theFibromyalgiaSOS Association. Ribbons and pins are available for purchase on the Association website (a ribbon = 2 euros, a pin = 3 euros, the prices are decreasing if you buy several)
What are the actions for World Fibromyalgia Day?
Despite notable advances in the diagnosis, recognition and management of the disease, fibromyalgia remains relatively unknown. Mainly because there is a wide variety of symptoms and impact varies from person to person and over time. Actions carried out by the Ministry to improve the health journey and quality of life of people with chronic pain and fibromyalgia revolve around 4 axes :
- Better inform
- Diagnose earlier
- Better structure the supply chain supported chronic pain
- Strengthen research on chronic pain and fibromyalgia
In this context, several cities are mobilizing on the occasion of the 29th World Fibromyalgia Day:
► Thursday, May 12 at 10 a.m.: march against fibromyalgia organized by the Social and Economic Committee of 3S (Scarpe Sensée Services) for the benefit of research on fibromyalgia (participation of 1 euro) at Ecoust Saint Mein (62)
► Saturday May 14 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: a videoconference is organized by the Association FibromyalgieSOS on the subject: “Some reasonable ideas about fibromyalgia to understand and tame it. How Hippocrates would have explained and relieved it“.
► Sunday May 15 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: concert of 4 choirs for the benefit of fibromyalgia and information stand in Sauvian (34)
► Wednesday May 18: conference and patient testimonials “What if we talked about fibromyalgia?” in Albi (81)
What are the figures for fibromyalgia in France?
- At least 12 million French people suffer from chronic pain, half of them with an impaired quality of life (Ministry of Health). Pain is the first reason for consultation, in the emergency services and with the general practitioner.
- 1.6% of the adult population would be affected by fibromyalgia in France (Ministry of Health)
- Fibromyalgia affects mostly women, aged 30 to 55without explanation to date: 8 to 9 cases out of 10 (Health Insurance)
What are the associations against fibromyalgia?
Some examples of associations for people with fibromyalgia and their families (non-exhaustive list):
- Fibromyalgia SOS
- Fibromyalgia France
- Association VAFSFC: Living with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
Sources: Fibromyalgia sheet, Ministry of Health website / Fibromyalgia sheet from Health Insurance / Fibromyalgia Syndrome from HAS / May 12, World Fibromyalgia Day, INSERM (April 28, 2022)