Fibromyalgia & musculoskeletal pain
Health inequities and societal costs for patients with fibromyalgia and their spouses: a Danish cohort study
Authors' conclusion
FM has major health and socioeconomic consequences for patients, their partners and society
Study context
- Population
- People with fibromyalgia (FM) and their spouses in Denmark (94.9% females, mean age 50 years)9,712 FM, 5946 spouses
- Comparison
- FM vs matched general population controls; spouses of FM vs matched comparator spouses
- FMn = 9,712
- Spousesn = 5,946
- Outcome
- Burden of illness: healthcare and societal costs, socioeconomic status and comorbidities
Methodological detailsDanish registries 1994–2021, 1:4 random matching to general population comparator, matched comparator spouses
- Danish registries 1994–2021
- 1:4 random matching to general population comparator
- Matched comparator spouses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Burden of illness in FM vs controls
Net average increased societal cost for FM per patient-year after diagnosis
€27 193
Employment rate after diagnosis (FM)
22%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Comorbid AS at time of FM diagnosis (highest risk)FMvs Controls | 7.0 (4.9–10.0) | |
| 0.10.31310Odds ratio (log scale) |
| Outcome | FM | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Disability pension · 10 years after FM diagnosis | 50% | 11% |
Comorbidities in spouses
- Significantly more comorbidities also observed in spouses
Loss of income from employment in FM
- Occurred years before establishment of the FM diagnosis
Original publication
Health inequities and societal costs for patients with fibromyalgia and their spouses: a Danish cohort study. RMD Open. Published 2 February 2024. doi:10.
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