Annals of the rheumatic diseases
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To investigate the hypothesis that fibromyalgia represents one end of a spectrum in which there is a more general association between musculoskeletal pain and tender points. ⋯ This study illustrates that the association between tender points and pain is not restricted to the clinically defined subgroup with chronic widespread pain. Given that widespread pain and tender points have previously been linked with distress, this might reflect lesser degrees, or earlier phases of the somatisation of distress.