Fibromyalgia

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) with fibromyalgia might be capable of safe and effective job performance. This is dependent on:

• Any clinical manifestations of the fibromyalgia that can interfere with the LEO’s ability to perform the essential job functions of their position, and
• Absence of disqualifying comorbidities (see Appendices A and B).

Fibromyalgia is a symptom-based disease defined by consensus without any objective criteria (see Appendix A for diagnostic criteria). There is no literature that provides a method, path, mechanism, or procedure to predict the risk of sudden incapacitation from fibromyalgia.

Therefore, an individualized assessment is needed to assess the LEO’s ability to perform essential job functions safely and effectively. Such evaluations must include the following key elements:

• History of the fibromyalgia including previous episodes of functional limitation, significant physical examination findings and ancillary testing;
• Physical examination;
• Current functional limitations that may occur from the pain, fatigue, cognitive impairment, or inability to quickly react to various dangers and hazardous environments;
• Treatment and side effects of medications;
• Comorbidities.