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Yu JS, Kim ES, Park KS, Lee YJ, Park YC, Nam D, Kim EJ, Ha IH. Trends in the treatment of fibromyalgia in South Korea between 2011 and 2018: a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional health insurance data. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071735. [PMID: 38056939 PMCID: PMC10711815 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-071735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fibromyalgia treatment trends vary globally; however, the trend in South Korea has not been investigated yet. This study aimed to analyse the fibromyalgia treatment trends in South Korea. DESIGN Retrospective, observational study using serial cross-sectional data. SETTING The National Patient Samples of the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from 2011 to 2018 were used. PARTICIPANTS A total of 31 059 patients with fibromyalgia were included in this study. The basic characteristics of the patients were stratified by sex, age and comorbidity. A patient was considered to have a condition if it was recorded as a principal diagnosis at least once in a year. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Trends in the types of medical visits and prescribed treatments were investigated and the values are presented as rates per 100 patients. The types of pharmacological treatment were presented according to the existing clinical guidelines. Additionally, combination prescription trends and associated characteristics were investigated. RESULTS Of the patients, 66.2% were female. Visits to internal medicine departments showed the most significant increase (2011: 11.34; 2018: 21.99; p<0.001). Non-pharmacological treatment rates declined (physical therapy 2011: 18.11; 2018: 13.69; p<0.001, acupuncture 2011: 52.03; 2018: 30.83; p<0.001). Prescription rates increased for analgesics, relaxants, antiepileptics and antidepressants. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescriptions had the highest increase (2011: 27.65; 2018: 40.02; p<0.001). Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor prescriptions showed significant growth (2011: 2.4; 2018: 8.05; p<0.001). Prescription durations were generally longer for women (p<0.001), with higher rate increases in this group. Combinations of ≥3 medication classes increased (2011: 8.2; 2018: 9.64; p=0.041). Women were more likely to receive combination prescriptions (crude OR 1.47 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.68), adjusted 1.18 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.36)). CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide basic reference data for the development and application of national guidelines for fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Sil Yu
- Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-San Kim
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Yoon Jae Lee
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yeon Cheol Park
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dongwoo Nam
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun-Jung Kim
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University, Seongnam-si, South Korea
| | - In-Hyuk Ha
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, South Korea
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Treister-Goltzman Y, Peleg R, Sagy I, Menashe I. Health services utilization by fibromyalgia patients from two ethnic groups. Int J Rheum Dis 2023; 26:1923-1931. [PMID: 37443460 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
AIM The cost to the healthcare system of management and treatment for fibromyalgia patients is high. The aims of the study were to identify and compare factors associated with the use of healthcare services among fibromyalgia patients in southern Israel from two ethnic groups. METHODS A cross-sectional study of patients insured in the southern district of the Clalit Healthcare Services in Israel in 2019-2020. The data were collected from the central computerized system. Multivariable regression models were developed for healthcare services utilization. RESULTS During the study period, 7686 members were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The median for specialist consultations was 47 and for imaging tests was eight. About 47% made emergency room visits and 25% were hospitalized. The median of imaging tests was significantly higher in Jewish patients than in Arab patients (8 vs. 6; p = .000). In contrast, a significantly higher rate of Arab patients visited the Emergency Room at least once (51.6% vs. 46.75%; p = .000) and they had a higher median number or Emergency Room visits (2 vs. 1; p = .003), compared with Jewish patients. In the Arab group there was a strong effect coefficient for another localized pain syndrome with specialist consultations (odds ratio [OR] 1.699; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.266-2.241) and imaging tests (OR 2.511; 95% CI 1.496-4.146). CONCLUSIONS The utilization rate of healthcare services is high among fibromyalgia patients. The factors associated with high healthcare utilization are different in the two ethnic groups. Future studies could show if interventions designed to address modifiable factors could reduce the overutilization of healthcare services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Treister-Goltzman
- The Department of Family Medicine, Siaal Research Center for Family Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roni Peleg
- The Department of Family Medicine, Siaal Research Center for Family Practice and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Iftach Sagy
- Rheumatology Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Idan Menashe
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Treister-Goltzman Y, Peleg R, Sagy I, Menashe I. Medication use and factors associated with opiate use among patients with diagnosed fibromyalgia from two ethnic sectors in southern Israel. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:78. [PMID: 37365657 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00586-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our aims were to compare fibromyalgia (FM) rate, drug treatment and factors associated with the use of opiates in two ethnic sectors. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional study in southern district of Israel was performed on diagnosed FM patients in 2019-2020 [7686 members (1.50%)]. Descriptive analyses were conducted and multivariable models for the use of opiates were developed. RESULTS There were significant differences between the two ethnic groups in FM prevalence at 1.63% and 0.91% in the Jewish and Arab groups, respectively. Only 32% of the patients used recommended medications and about 44% purchased opiates. Age, BMI, psychiatric co-morbidity, and treatment with a recommended drug were similarly associated with an increased risk for opiate use in both ethnic groups. However, male gender was associated with × 2 times reduced risk to use opiates only among the Bedouins (aOR = 0.552, 95%CI = 0.333-0.911). In addition, while in both of ethnic groups the existence of another localized pain syndrome was associated with an increased risk for opiates use, this risk was 4 times higher in the Bedouin group (aOR = 8.500, 95%CI = 2.023-59.293 and aOR = 2.079, 95%CI = 1.556-2.814). CONCLUSIONS The study showed underdiagnosis of FM in the minority Arab ethnicity. Female Arab FM patients in low or high, compared to middle socio-economic status, were a risk group for excess opiate use. Increased use of opiates and very low rate of purchase of recommended drugs point to a lack of effectiveness of these drugs. Future research should assess whether the treatment of treatable factors can reduce the dangerous use of opiates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Treister-Goltzman
- Department of Family Medicine and Siaal Research Center for Family Practice and Primary Care, The Haim Doron Division of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
- Clalit Health Services, Southern District, Israel.
| | - Roni Peleg
- Department of Family Medicine and Siaal Research Center for Family Practice and Primary Care, The Haim Doron Division of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Clalit Health Services, Southern District, Israel
| | - Iftach Sagy
- Rheumatology Disease Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Idan Menashe
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Gower C, Trevitt J, Cherry BJ, Zettel-Watson L. Distress as a mediator for pain and activities of daily living in older adults with fibromyalgia. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1033936. [PMID: 36590966 PMCID: PMC9794591 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1033936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pain, distress, and activities of daily living impact the lives of those with chronic pain. This study investigated distress (depressive symptoms, anxiety) on the relationship between pain (intensity and pain interference) and activities of daily living in individuals with fibromyalgia while controlling for age. Methods The current cross-sectional investigation focused on data from 123 men and women with fibromyalgia. Pain intensity, pain interference and anxiety were measured on 0-10 Likert type scales from the National Fibromyalgia Assessment Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II. Activities of daily living (basic, instrumental) were measured with the Physical Activity Inventory Scale. Results It was hypothesized that the relationships between pain intensity and pain interference and activities of daily living in individuals with fibromyalgia would be mediated by the construct of distress while controlling for age. Mediation significantly occurred in both models as predicted. However, those who were older reported lower levels of pain intensity and distress than their younger counterparts, which may be related to time since diagnosis or other factors. Discussion Results of this study suggest that individuals with chronic pain conditions would benefit from treatment options which address distress, specifically depressive symptoms and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Gower
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Center, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States,Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Trevitt
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Center, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States,Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Barbara J. Cherry
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Center, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States,Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States,Aging Studies Academic Program, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Laura Zettel-Watson
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Center, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States,Department of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States,Aging Studies Academic Program, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Laura Zettel-Watson,
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Mathieson S, Wertheimer G, Maher CG, Christine Lin CW, McLachlan AJ, Buchbinder R, Pearson SA, Underwood M. What proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain are prescribed an opioid medicine? Systematic review and meta-regression of observational studies. J Intern Med 2020; 287:458-474. [PMID: 32100394 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Guidelines now discourage opioid analgesics for chronic noncancer pain because the benefits frequently do not outweigh the harms. We aimed to determine the proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain who are prescribed an opioid, the types prescribed and factors associated with prescribing. Database searches were conducted from inception to 29 October 2018 without language restrictions. We included observational studies of adults with chronic noncancer pain measuring opioid prescribing. Opioids were categorized as weak (e.g. codeine) or strong (e.g. oxycodone). Study quality was assessed using a risk of bias tool designed for observational studies measuring prevalence. Individual study results were pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-regression investigated study-level factors associated with prescribing (e.g. sampling year, geographic region as per World Health Organization). The overall evidence quality was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. Of the 42 studies (5,059,098 participants) identified, the majority (n = 28) were from the United States of America. Eleven studies were at low risk of bias. The pooled estimate of the proportion of patients with chronic noncancer pain prescribed opioids was 30.7% (95% CI 28.7% to 32.7%, n = 42 studies, moderate-quality evidence). Strong opioids were more frequently prescribed than weak (18.4% (95% CI 16.0-21.0%, n = 15 studies, low-quality evidence), versus 8.5% (95% CI 7.2-9.9%, n = 15 studies, low-quality evidence)). Meta-regression determined that opioid prescribing was associated with year of sampling (more prescribing in recent years) (P = 0.014) and not geographic region (P = 0.056). Opioid prescribing for patients with chronic noncancer pain is common and has increased over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mathieson
- From the, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - G Wertheimer
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C G Maher
- From the, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - C-W Christine Lin
- From the, Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - A J McLachlan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Pharmacy School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - R Buchbinder
- Monash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Institute, Malvern, Vic.,, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - S-A Pearson
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - M Underwood
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.,University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
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Wei W, Gandhi K, Blauer-Peterson C, Johnson J. Impact of Pain Severity and Opioid Use on Health Care Resource Utilization and Costs Among Patients with Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2020; 25:957-965. [PMID: 31456495 PMCID: PMC10398182 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2019.25.9.957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. The primary symptom of OA-pain-increases the disease burden by negatively affecting daily activities and quality of life. Opioids are often prescribed for treating pain in patients with OA but have questionable benefit-risk profiles. There is limited evidence on the economic impact of pain severity and opioid use among patients with OA. OBJECTIVES To (a) evaluate the association of pain severity with health care resource utilization (HRU) and costs among patients with knee/hip OA and (b) characterize the association of opioid use with HRU and costs while controlling for pain severity. METHODS Using deterministically linked health care claims data and electronic health records from the Optum Research Database, this retrospective cohort study included commercial and Medicare Advantage Part D enrollees who were diagnosed with knee/hip OA during the January 1, 2010-December 31, 2016 time period and had ≥ 1 pain score (11-point Likert scale: 0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain) between the first OA diagnosis date and October 2016. The index date was the date of the evaluated pain score; HRU and costs were observed over the 3-month postindex period. For patients with multiple pain scores, each episode required a 3-month post-index follow-up period. Generalized estimating equation models, adjusted for multiple observation panels per patient and baseline variables that may contribute to HRU and costs (age, sex, race/ethnicity, region, insurance type, integrated delivery network, body mass index, pain medication use, provider specialty, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and other select comorbid conditions), were used to estimate all-cause and OA-related costs expressed as per patient per month (PPPM). Comparisons were performed for moderate (score 4-6) and severe (score 7-10) pain episodes versus no/mild pain episodes (score 0-3) and those with baseline opioid use versus those without. RESULTS Included were 35,861 patients with knee/hip OA (mean age 66.5 years; 64.7% women) who had 70,716 pain episodes (58% mild, 23% moderate, 19% severe, and 37.0% with baseline opioid use). When controlling for other potential confounding factors, moderate/severe pain episodes were associated with higher all-cause and OA-related HRU than mild pain episodes. Relative to mild pain episodes, moderate/severe pain episodes were also associated with significantly higher adjusted average all-cause PPPM costs ($1,876/$1,840 vs. $1,602), and OA-related PPPM costs ($550/$577 vs. $394; all P < 0.05). Baseline opioid use was associated with significantly higher all-cause PPPM costs versus no opioid use (mild, $1,735 vs. $1,492; moderate, $2,034 vs. $1,755; severe, $2,100 vs. $1,643, all P < 0.001), and a higher likelihood of incurring OA-related costs relative to those without (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These results provide evidence of the economic impact of opioid use and inadequate pain control by demonstrating that increased pain severity and opioid use in patients with OA were independently associated with higher HRU and costs. Additional studies should confirm causality between opioid use and HRU and costs, taking into consideration underlying OA characteristics. DISCLOSURES Funding for this study was contributed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Wei is an employee at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, with stock ownership. Gandhi was an employee at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, with stock ownership, at the time of this study. Blauer-Peterson and Johnson are employees of Optum, which was contracted to conduct the research for this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Wei
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, New York
| | - Kavita Gandhi
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Frazer, Pennsylvania
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Davis F, Gostine M, Roberts BA, Risko R, Cappelleri JC, Sadosky A. Interpreting the Effectiveness of Opioids and Pregabalin for Pain Severity, Pain Interference, and Fatigue in Fibromyalgia Patients. Pain Pract 2017; 18:611-624. [PMID: 29064627 DOI: 10.1111/papr.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of opioids and/or pregabalin on patient-reported outcomes among fibromyalgia (FM) patients based on levels of improvement. METHODS A total of 1,421 FM patients were identified, with 3,082 observational periods of opioids with or without pregabalin use between April 2008 and February 2015. Patients were categorized by opioids, and pregabalin with and without opioids; opioids were designated by morphine equivalent dose (MED) of ≤ 20 (low MED), > 20 to < 100 (moderate MED), ≥ 100 (high MED), and pregabalin doses of ≤ 150 mg, 151 to 300 mg, and 301 to 450 mg. Proportions of patients meeting clinically relevant thresholds of ≥ 30% and ≥ 50% improvement for pain interference (ability to enjoy life; activity; mood; relationships; sleep), pain severity, and fatigue were compared among treatments, and area under the curve (AUC) for improvement and worsening of effects was determined, enabling ranking of treatments. Further analysis compared pregabalin doses. RESULTS Pregabalin without opioids resulted in the highest proportions of patients with ≥ 30% improvement on all pain items and pain interference with "ability to enjoy life," "activity" "mood," and "sleep." For the ≥ 50% threshold, pregabalin alone was highest for all pain interference items and for "average pain" and "worst pain." Pregabalin was consistently lowest across thresholds for fatigue, but showed better results combined with moderate MED opioids. Pregabalin doses recommended for treatment of FM (151 to 450 mg) generally resulted in the highest proportion of patients achieving thresholds relative to opioids. The AUC results were consistent with thresholds; pregabalin without opioids resulted in the greatest benefits with regard to improvement, with the highest ranking for overall improvement and overall effects. CONCLUSION Pregabalin without opioids provided the most favorable outcomes overall based on ≥ 30% and ≥ 50% improvement thresholds and AUC, with support for moderate MED opioids + pregabalin in patients suffering from fatigue. While most patients took less than recommended pregabalin doses, higher doses may lead to improved outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred Davis
- ProCare Systems, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A
| | - Mark Gostine
- Michigan Pain Consultants, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A
| | | | - Rebecca Risko
- ProCare Systems, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A
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