Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the direct medical costs of clinically diagnosed patients
with fibromyalgia with the medical costs of matched controls during a 4-yr period
and to assess the impact of a fibromyalgia treatment program on healthcare
utilization and associated medical costs. DESIGN: A retrospective comparison of
economic outcomes in 87 patients who participated in a fibromyalgia treatment
program between 2001 and 2004 and who were local residents for the entire 4-yr
period spanning their participation in the program, with age and sex-matched
controls. Costs for the 2 yrs before and 2 yrs after program participation were
also compared. RESULTS: Four-year medical costs for controls were $7774 compared
with $15,759 for those with fibromyalgia. There was no significant change in
direct costs after participation in a brief fibromyalgia treatment program. Those
with increased symptom severity averaged $2034 higher direct medical costs during
the 4-yr period. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with clinically diagnosed fibromyalgia
incur direct medical costs about twice that of their matched controls. This
increased cost is related to the severity of their symptoms as measured by the
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and was not impacted by participation in a
brief cognitive behaviorally based fibromyalgia treatment program.

Langue : ANGLAIS