• Lucinda Bateman, Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini, Claire L Burbridge, Jaren W Landen, Elizabeth T Masters, Pritha Bhadra Brown, Joseph M Scavone, Birol Emir, Richard S Vissing, Andrew G Clair, and Lynne R Pauer.
• Bateman Horne Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
• Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2016 Mar 1; 34 (2 Suppl 96): S106-13.

ObjectivesTo assess the burden of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with FM taking antidepressant medication for comorbid depression.MethodsSymptom burden, impact on work and activity, and healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) was examined at randomisation in patients enrolled in a clinical trial. Symptom burden was estimated based on self-reported health status measures. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Specific Health Problem scale adapted to FM and a separate HCRU questionnaire were completed. The relationship between FM severity and burden was evaluated.ResultsThe total population analysed comprised 193 patients; 71 (36.8%) had moderate FM and 119 (61.7%) severe FM. Patients had moderate pain, severe impairment in functioning due to FM, sleep disruption, mild anxiety, and mild depression. In the 7 days preceding randomisation, an average of 58.0% overall work impairment was reported, with 15.2% of working hours missed and 54.0% productivity while at work. In the 3 months preceding randomisation, on average, 5.0 visits per patient were made to healthcare professionals. Physical treatments were used by 34.7% and supplements by 31.6% of patients. Prescription and non-prescription medications, as well as professional services providing help with activities of daily living (ADL) that are impacted by FM, were used by >75% of patients. In addition, 50.4 hours of unpaid help was provided for ADL assistance. Total out-of-pocket expenditures were US$307.1, €410.4, or C$211.3, depending on location. FM burden worsened with increasing FM severity.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the significant burden of FM in patients with comorbid depression treated with an antidepressant.

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