Employees With Fibromyalgia: Medical Comorbidity, Healthcare Costs, and Work Loss

Abstract

• Compare prevalence rates of common comorbid conditions in employees diagnosed as having fibromyalgia (FM) or osteoarthritis (OA).• Identify trends in the use of medical care and prescription drugs by employees having FM or OA, as compared to control subjects.• Contrast total dollar costs and their components-medical costs, drug costs, and indirect costs of time lost from work-in employees with FM, those with OA, and control employees having neither of these disorders. ($10,199) approached OA costs ($10,861, P ϭ 0.3758) Med. 2008;50:13-24)

The Comparative Economic Burden of Mild, Moderate, and Severe Fibromyalgia: Results from a Retrospective Chart Review and Cross-Sectional Survey of Working-Age U.S. Adults

“…Consistent with previously published U.S. studies, 6,12,13 this study demonstrated that fibromyalgia is associated with substantial direct and indirect costs to payers, patients, and society. This study also demonstrated that costs are higher for patients with worse fibromyalgia severity.…”

“…Previous research has shown that a majority of patients with fibromyalgia seek care from primary care and other physicians; less than 20% seek care from rheumatologists. 12,17 These physician specialties were selected because they represent 4 specialties that treat fibromyalgia in the United States.…”

“…12,13 However, other lost productivity costs due to fibromyalgia-related absenteeism, presenteeism, unemployment, disability, and informal care were not explored in these studies.…”

“…4,7,10 Several previous studies in the United States, including retrospective claims analyses and a prospective survey, have documented direct health care costs among patients with fibromyalgia. 6,[12][13][14][15] The claims analyses captured all-cause medical costs and, thus, may not have captured medical costs directly attributable to fibromyalgia. Also, while these studies captured patient out-of-pocket costs for medical services and prescription medications, they did not capture additional out-of-pocket costs incurred by patients, including costs for professional services to help perform daily activities hindered by fibromyalgia, such as child care, housework, or yard work.…”

“…[10][11][12][13] Additionally, patients with fibromyalgia often require additional resources, such as unpaid assistance from family or paid caregivers, for help with independent activities of daily living. 4,7,10 Several previous studies in the United States, including retrospective claims analyses and a prospective survey, have documented direct health care costs among patients with fibromyalgia.…”