Use of resources and costs profile in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

A recently published study has found that a considerable use of health resources and costs was observed in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome in a primary care setting.

The study aimed to determine the use of services and costs in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Fibro) or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), followed up in Primary Care.

The retrospective multicenter population-based study took place in 5 primary care clinics managed by Badalona Health Service in Spain. The study looked at patients of 18 years old and over, seen in these 5 clinics during 2006, noting general facts about the patients, their diagnoses, health care use and primary care cost (visits, diagnostic/therapeutic tests and drugs).¹

Of a total of 63,349 patients, 1.4% had a diagnosis of Fibro, and 5.3% had a diagnosis of GAD.¹

The average episodes/year and visits /year was higher in the Fibro group compared to the GAD group, with a marked difference when compared to those patients without either diagnosis.¹

A statistical relationship was found between Fibro and gender (16.8 women: 1 man), dyslipidemia (a disruption in the amount of lipids in the blood, e.g. an elevation of the total cholesterol levels), and depressive syndrome.¹

A statistical relationship was found between GAD and age, female gender, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, smoking, depressive syndrome, and cardiovascular events.¹

After adjusting for age, gender and co-morbidities, mean annual direct ambulatory (outpatient) cost was 555.58 Euros for the reference group, 817.37 Euros for GAD, and 908.67 Euros for Fibro.

The article concludes that:

""Compared with [the] reference group, a considerable use of health resources and costs was observed in patients with [Fibro]... in [primary care] settings.¹

References:

1. Sicras-Mainar A, Blanca-Tamayo M, Navarro-Artieda R, Rejas-Gutiérrez J. [Use of resources and costs profile in patients with fibromyalgia or generalized anxiety disorder in primary care settings.] [Article in Spanish] Aten Primaria. 2009 Feb;41(2):77-84. Epub 2009 Feb 3