PARIS--13 Jun--PRNewswire-AsiaNet /InfoQuest
- Lack of Physician Education May Contribute to Problem
A new global survey of fibromyalgia patients and physicians shows that fibromyalgia, a chronic widespread pain condition, results in poor quality oflife and poses a financial burden on patients often resulting in an inability to work and earn income. The burden of fibromyalgia may be further compounded by the fact that in most countries it takes patients on average, 1.9 to 2.7
Poor Quality of Life for Patients with Fibromyalgia
In all countries surveyed, patients with fibromyalgia say they experience 6 to 11 symptoms on average, including chronic widespread pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue and sensitivity to touch. Many of the symptoms are described by patients as extremely or very disruptive to the overall quality of their lives. Patients say the areas of their lives that are most affected are physical mobility, overall mood, concentration and memory, and motivation and drive.
Financial Burden of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia places a financial burden on patients and can result in missed work days and limited ability or inability to work. Across all European countries surveyed, at least 1 in 5 patients said they have been unable to work and earn an income. Furthermore, one third of patients in Spain, more than in any other country surveyed, claim they lost their jobs due to fibromyalgia. In most countries, around half of all patients say they have missed 10 or more days of work over the last year.
Diagnosis Can Take Years
The survey shows that for patients with fibromyalgia, a diagnosis may take years for a number of reasons. Patients in this survey waited an average of 5 months (UK) to 1.5 years (Mexico) to consult a physician about their symptoms because they thought their symptoms would go away or they could manage them on their own. Once patients have consulted a physician, it can
"These survey findings are so important because they expose the challenges facing people living with fibromyalgia and validate the tremendous impact of the condition on their lives," says Robert Boelhouwer, President of the European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA). "It is my hope that these new data will prompt a dialogue about steps that can be taken to
Physicians Lack Confidence in Diagnosing Fibromyalgia
Contributing to the lengthy process of diagnosis may be physicians' lack of confidence in diagnosing fibromyalgia. Interestingly, this problem was not exclusive to primary care physicians since specialists surveyed also report significant difficulties diagnosing fibromyalgia. In fact, between 16% (Mexico) and 71% (Korea) of all physicians surveyed say they are not very or not at all confident in recognizing symptoms of fibromyalgia. Between 25% (Mexico) and 73% (Korea) of physicians also say they are not very or not at
"The survey findings are worrying because they suggest that physicians lack knowledge and training in managing patients with fibromyalgia, which is most certainly contributing to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition," said Ernest Choy M.D., Department of Rheumatology, GKT School of Medicine, King's College, London (UK). "It is important that the medical
About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common, chronic widespread pain conditions and affects between 16 and 40 million people worldwide. Fibromyalgia is usually accompanied by poor sleep, stiffness and fatigue along with other co-morbidities. Fibromyalgia is more prevalent in women, who account for 87 percent of diagnosed cases; however, men can also be affected.
The exact causes of fibromyalgia are not yet known. Some scientistsbelieve that there is an abnormality in how the body responds to pain, particularly a heightened sensitivity to stimuli. A growing body of evidence suggests that alterations in the central nervous system may contribute to the pain of fibromyalgia.
About the Survey
The European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA) and Pfizer Inc partnered to develop the Fibromyalgia Global Impact Survey to advance understanding and aid diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The independent polling organization Harris Interactive conducted the survey. The survey was supported by Pfizer Inc. The survey included 800 diagnosed fibromyalgia patients and 1,622 physicians total from eight countries: the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico and S. Korea. In each country,
About the European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA)
The European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA) was formed in September 2004 to increase awareness of fibromyalgia in Europe and provide support and information to patients and caregivers. There are currently 11 countries part of ENFA including, the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal and Israel.
Contact: Sejal Sedani at Resolute Communications, +44-20-7357-8187,
Source: European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations
--Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--
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