From: A patient survey of the impact of fibromyalgia and the journey to diagnosis
Group A | Group B | ||
---|---|---|---|
Not satisfied Patients with satisfaction score 1 or 2 (n = 223) | Satisfied Patients with satisfaction score 4 or 5 (n = 168) | P Value | |
Mean time since first experiencing symptoms | 7.3 years | 5.5 years | <0.05 |
% of patients taking prescription pain medications | 72% | 60% | <0.05 |
% of patients taking OTC pain medicines | 38% | 33% | NS |
% of patients taking other drugs prescribed by physician | 52% | 54% | NS |
Average number of symptoms experienced | 8.4 | 6.4 | <0.05 |
Chronic widespread pain extremely or very disruptive | 87% | 59% | <0.05 |
Severity of chronic widespread pain | 7.6 | 6.8 | <0.05 |
Time lag between symptoms and seeing a physician | 16.2 months | 9.8 months | NS |
Time lag between seeing a physician and receiving a diagnosis | 3.1 years | 1.4 years | <0.05 |
Average number of physicians seen to receive diagnosis | 4.1 | 3.2 | <0.05 |
Perceived difficulty in receiving diagnosis very or somewhat difficult | 72% | 47% | <0.05 |
Missed more than 40 days of work | 19% | 10% | <0.05 |
Unable to work due to fibromyalgia | 36% | 16% | <0.05 |
Can only work some time due to fibromyalgia | 35% | 21% | <0.05 |
Lost job due to fibromyalgia | 30% | 15% | <0.05 |
Average number of treatments used | 3.9 | 3.4 | <0.05 |