Prevalence of survey-based criteria for fibromyalgia and impact on hospital burden: a 7 year follow-up study from an outpatient clinic

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the prevalence of survey-based criteria for fibromyalgia (FM) among newly referred patients in a rheumatic outpatient clinic, and to compare the use of secondary healthcare services between survey-based FM and non-FM cases.

Method

Newly referred patients to an outpatient clinic were screened for the fulfilment of the 2011 FM survey criteria during a 6 month period in 2013 in this observational cohort study. Demographic data were obtained at baseline. Patients’ medical files were evaluated and comparisons between groups were made regarding the use of hospital healthcare facilities during the 7 year observation period.

Results

Out of 300 invited patients, 248 (83%) completed the questionnaire; 90 patients (36%) fulfilled survey-based criteria for FM at enrolment. FM cases were primarily women (80% vs 54% of non-FM cases), and received more medications (median 4 vs 3 drugs) and public economic support (62% vs 20%). At the 7 year follow-up, crude analyses showed that FM cases had a higher number of hospital courses (median 10 vs 8) and had undergone more invasive procedures (78% vs 60%). Neurologists (42% vs 28%), gastroenterologists (30% vs 13%), endocrinologists (40% vs 21%), pain specialists (13% vs 3%), psychiatrists (20% vs 7%), and abdominal surgeons (43% vs 30%) were consulted more often by FM than by non-FM cases.

Conclusion

Fulfilment of FM survey criteria among newly referred patients to a rheumatic outpatient clinic is frequent. Our study findings show that FM continues to present a challenge for healthcare professionals as well as for patients.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

● Fulfilment of FM survey criteria among newly referred patients to a rheumatic outpatient clinic is frequent.

● The burden on the secondary healthcare system for these patients is significant.

● This study suggests the need for increased awareness about the diagnosis of FM among certain medical and surgical specialties.

Acknowledgements

Study data were collected using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) electronic data capture tools hosted at OPEN (Open Patient Data Explorative Network), OUH, Region of Southern Denmark. We thank Leif Ejstrup, one of the three rheumatologists who helped to translate the questionnaire.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/03009742.2022.2145703