How to Calculate Your WPI Score: Important Diagnostic Next Steps for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive challenges. One of the first tools doctors use to help diagnose fibromyalgia is the Widespread Pain Index (WPI). Understanding your WPI score calculation can guide you—and your healthcare provider—through important diagnostic and next-step decisions.

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What Is the Widespread Pain Index (WPI)?

The Widespread Pain Index (WPI) is a simple count of the number of painful body regions you’ve experienced over the past week. It comes from the American College of Rheumatology’s 2010 fibromyalgia criteria and helps measure how widespread your pain is.

Key points about WPI:

• Designed to quantify pain distribution.
• Scores range from 0 to 19.
• Used alongside the Symptom Severity (SS) scale to support fibromyalgia diagnosis.

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Why WPI Matters

Knowing your WPI score provides:

• A snapshot of how many areas are painful.
• A basis for discussing your symptoms with a doctor.
• A foundation for tracking changes over time.

Combined with your SS scale (which measures fatigue, cognitive issues and other symptoms), WPI helps determine if you meet the diagnostic thresholds for fibromyalgia.

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How to Calculate Your Widespread Pain Index (WPI)

Follow these steps to determine your WPI score:

1. Gather a List of Body Regions
   The WPI covers 19 specific areas. Grab a notepad or print this list:

   1. Shoulder girdle (left)
   2. Shoulder girdle (right)
   3. Upper arm (left)
   4. Upper arm (right)
   5. Lower arm (left)
   6. Lower arm (right)
   7. Hip (left)
   8. Hip (right)
   9. Upper leg (left)
   10. Upper leg (right)
   11. Lower leg (left)
   12. Lower leg (right)
   13. Jaw
   14. Chest
   15. Abdomen
   16. Upper back
   17. Lower back
   18. Neck
   19. Shoulder blades or buttocks
   

2. Review Your Pain History
   Think back over the past seven days. For each of the 19 regions, ask yourself: “Did I experience pain here?” If yes, mark that region.

3. Count Your Marks
   Each painful region counts as “1.” Add them up.

   • A person with pain in 8 out of 19 areas has a WPI score of 8.
   • Maximum possible score is 19.

4. Record Your Score
   Write down your total WPI. This is your baseline. Keep track weekly or monthly to observe trends.

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Interpreting Your WPI Score

On its own, WPI gives a measure of how widespread your pain is. Combined with the SS scale, it helps meet fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria:

• Fibromyalgia Likely

  • WPI ≥ 7 AND SS scale ≥ 5
    OR
  • WPI 3–6 AND SS scale ≥ 9

• Symptom Duration

  • Symptoms must have been present at similar levels for at least three months.

• Exclusion of Other Disorders

  • No other health condition should better explain the pain.

If you meet the above, fibromyalgia is possible—but you still need a healthcare professional’s evaluation.

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Next Steps After Calculating Your WPI

1. Complete the Symptom Severity (SS) Scale
   The SS scale rates fatigue, unrefreshed sleep, cognitive symptoms, and other somatic symptoms on a 0–3 scale. Total SS score ranges from 0–12.

2. Compile Your Symptom Diary
   Track:

   • Daily WPI regions
   • SS ratings
   • Any new symptoms
   • Medications or therapies tried

3. Use an Online Symptom Checker
   To get a preliminary sense of possible causes and recommended next steps, consider a free, online symptom check, using the doctor approved Ubie Symptom Checker. This tool can help you organize your symptoms before your medical visit.
   Try the Ubie Symptom Checker

4. Schedule an Appointment with Your Doctor
   Bring your WPI score, SS scale results, and symptom diary. A rheumatologist or pain specialist can:

   • Perform a physical exam
   • Order labs or imaging to rule out other conditions
   • Confirm a fibromyalgia diagnosis or suggest alternatives

5. Discuss Management Strategies
   If diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you and your doctor can develop a tailored plan that may include:

   • Medications (e.g., certain antidepressants or antiseizure drugs)
   • Physical therapy or graded exercise
   • Lifestyle changes (sleep hygiene, stress management)
   • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

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Tips for Keeping Track of Your WPI Score

• Use a simple checklist app or paper chart.
• Set a weekly reminder to update your score.
• Note any factors that worsen or improve pain (e.g., weather, stress).
• Share updates with your support network or healthcare team.

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When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Fibromyalgia itself isn’t life-threatening, but some symptoms or overlapping issues may need urgent care. Contact a doctor or emergency services if you experience:

• Sudden, severe chest pain or shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss above 10 pounds in a short period
• Severe headache accompanied by vision changes
• Confusion, slurred speech, or sudden weakness
• High fever with stiff neck and rash

For any serious or life-threatening symptoms, always speak to a doctor or go to the nearest emergency department right away.

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Final Thoughts

Calculating your widespread pain index (WPI score calculation) is a straightforward first step in understanding your pain pattern. When combined with the Symptom Severity scale and a thorough medical evaluation, it can help you and your healthcare provider make critical decisions about diagnosing and managing fibromyalgia. Remember:

• Track pain weekly using the 19-region WPI list.
• Interpret your score alongside the SS scale.
• Use tools like the Ubie Symptom Checker to organize symptoms.
• See a healthcare professional for confirmation and management.
• Seek immediate help for any life-threatening signs.

Keeping a clear record of your symptoms empowers you and your medical team to find the best path forward. If you have concerns about your pain or related symptoms, don’t hesitate—speak to a doctor.