New Global Survey Exposes Considerable Burden of Fibromyalgia Including Potential Economic Impact

Paris (ots/PRNewswire) -

- 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 of life 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 years and between
2 and 4 physicians to receive an accurate diagnosis. According to the
survey, lack of physician confidence in recognizing symptoms of the
condition may be contributing to delays in diagnosis. These new
survey findings were released today by the European Network of
Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA), a coalition of patient advocacy
organizations, and Pfizer Inc, and include findings from the UK,
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico and S. Korea.

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 take on average, 1.9 to 2.7 years
and between 2 and 4 physicians to receive an accurate diagnosis. In
Spain, this process was even longer (3.7 years).

"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 improve diagnosis and
management of fibromyalgia so we can reduce the enormous burden of
this chronic pain condition."

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 all confident in their ability to differentiate symptoms of
fibromyalgia from other conditions. According to the survey,
insufficient training of physicians may contribute to the problem. As
a result, it was not surprising to see that a significant proportion
of physicians in all countries report the condition is often or
almost always misdiagnosed.

"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 community and policy
makers now take the necessary steps to provide physicians with the
education and training they need to properly and confidently manage
patients with fibromyalgia."

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
scientists believe 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, 100 diagnosed
fibromyalgia patients, approximately 100 PCPs (primary care
physicians) and approximately 100 specialists (25 rheumatologists, 25
neurologists, 25 pain specialists and 25 psychiatrists) were
interviewed. Of the 1,622 physicians surveyed, 1,294 had treated
fibromyalgia patients in the last 2 years and 328 had not. Patients
who participated in the survey were 18 years of age or older with the
highest percentage of patients (ranging from 30% in Spain and 46% in
Mexico) being between 45-59 years of age. Both females (n=675) and
males (n=125) were included in the survey. Data collection was
conducted from February 25, 2008 through April 17, 2008.

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.

ots Originaltext: European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA)
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