Cipolletta, Sabrina, et al. "Illness experiences and attitudes towards medication in online communities for people with fibromyalgia." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17.22 (2020): 8683.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disabling condition whose diagnosis is still contentious, leading affected individuals to seek support and information from online communities. This study explores the role of such communities in shaping patients' illness experiences and attitudes towards medication. Using a qualitative content analysis grounded in the grounded theory approach, 19 conversations from an online forum and 14 online interviews were analyzed. Five categories emerged: illness experience, lack of reference points, online communities, personal role, and attitude towards medication, with the search for recognition identified as the core category. The study underscores the significance of online communities as platforms for users to express their needs and seek legitimacy and recognition.