After analyzing thousands of patients, EpicGenetics today announced that its data shows that 80 percent of young people (under 19 years of age) who were tested for fibromyalgia were previously misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This potentially means that a large percentage of the 6.4 million children between ages 4-17 who have been diagnosed with ADHD may be misdiagnosed and prescribed medications that might be dangerous to their long-term health and wellness.
“We need to stop treating symptoms, and first determine the correct diagnosis before prescribing drugs,” said Bruce Gillis, M.D. and CEO of EpicGenetics. “By helping to diagnose children’s ailments accurately, we can provide them with a healthier, safer future.”
ADHD is a diagnosis that is made on a subjective basis. Children are typically diagnosed with ADHD because they are showing symptoms of hyperactivity. Being branded as having ADHD often has negative connotations that stay with people for a lifetime.
EpicGenetics developed the FM/a® Test, the first FDA-compliant blood test that diagnoses fibromyalgia by identifying the presence of specific white blood cell abnormalities and consequential protein production abnormalities. In an effort to prevent a misdiagnosis of ADHD in children, EpicGenetics is going to offer any child the FM/a® Test at 50 percent of the normal cost. Those testing positive will be eligible to volunteer for an upcoming clinical treatment trial. There are millions of individuals, ranging from pediatric to geriatric ages, who will be candidates to have their fibromyalgia confirmed and then become eligible to volunteer for the new clinical trial.
