The economic burden of Fibromyalgia Syndrome compared with arthritis

A recently published study has concluded that the economic burden of illness in Fibromyalgia Syndrome is substantial and comparable to that of rheumatoid arthritis.

The study aimed to quantify and compare direct costs, utilisation of resources, and the rate of comorbidities, in a sample of patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro) to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The researchers carried out retrospective cohort analysis of Thomson Reuters MarketScan administrative healthcare claims and employer-collected absence and disability data for adult patients with a diagnosis of Fibro and/or RA on at least one inpatient or two outpatient claims during 2001-2004. The 12-month healthcare utilisation, expenditures, and rates of comorbidities were quantified for all study-eligible patients; absence and short-term disability days and costs were quantified for the subset of participants that were employed.

The sample included 14,034 Fibro patients, 7,965 RA patients, and 331 patients with Fibro and RA.

The researchers found that the patients with Fibro had a higher prevalence of several comorbidities and greater emergency department (ED) utilisation than those with RA.

Average annual expenditures for patients with Fibro or RA were similar: $10,911 and $10,716 respectively. Annual expenditures were almost double that in patients with both FIbro and RA at $19,395.

A greater proportion of patients with Fibro had any short-term disability days than those with RA (20 vs. 15%); and a greater proportion of patients with RA had any absence days (65 vs. 80%).

Mean costs for absence from work and short-term disability in the Fibro and RA groups were substantial and similar. The group of patients with both Fibro and RA was of insufficient sample size to report on work loss.

The article concludes that:

"The burden of illness in [Fibromyalgia Syndrome] is substantial and comparable to RA. Patients with [Fibromyalgia Syndrome] incurred direct costs approximately equal to RA patients. Patients with [Fibromyalgia Syndrome] had more ED, physician, and physical therapy visits than RA patients. Patients in both groups had several comorbidities. Patients with [Fibromyalgia Syndrome] and RA incurred direct costs almost double those of the patients with either diagnosis alone. [Fibromyalgia Syndrome] and RA patients incurred similar overall absence and short-term disability costs."¹

The researchers note that the availability of newer and more expensive FDA-approved medications since 2004 is not reflected in their findings. This analysis was also restricted to commercially insured patients and therefore may not be applicable to the entire U.S. population.

References:

1. Silverman S, Dukes EM, Johnston SS, Brandenburg NA, Sadosky A, Huse DM. The economic burden of fibromyalgia: comparative analysis with rheumatoid arthritis. Curr Med Res Opin. 2009 Feb 17. [Epub ahead of print]