Skip to main content

Table 1 Fibromyalgia characteristics and treatment utilization among those satisfied and not satisfied with their current treatment

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

  1. 1. Not at all satisfied 2. Not very satisfied, 3. Fairly satisfied, 4. Very satisfied, 5 Extremely satisfied; p-value based on T-Test of Column Proportions