True or False: The diagnosis of fibromyalgia requires documentation of at least 11 out of 18 specific tender points.

The statement is false because the current criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia do not require the documentation of specific tender points. Instead, the most recent guidelines emphasize a more holistic approach to diagnosis. The American College of Rheumatology updated its criteria to focus on widespread pain and the assessment of symptom severity, rather than strictly counting tender points. This reflects a shift in understanding the condition, underscoring the importance of a broader range of symptoms, including fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive issues, rather than relying solely on the presence of tender points.

This change aims to improve the accuracy of diagnosis since not all people with fibromyalgia will have the classic tender point presentation. Therefore, the concept of requiring 11 out of 18 tender points is outdated and does not align with contemporary diagnostic practices. The emphasis is now on the patient's report of widespread pain and related symptoms over the previous focus on specific tender zones.