In search of pharmacoeconomic evaluations for fibromyalgia treatments: a review.
Fibromyalgia is characterised by chronic widespread pain of unknown aetiology and affects approximately 2% of the population. It can cause significant patient disability, sizeable economic costs, complex management decisions and controversy for healthcare providers. In lieu of uniformly approved treatments for fibromyalgia, patients may try multiple pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies with questionable efficacy. The literature lacks pharmacoeconomic studies that balance the cost and benefit of interventions. In the absence of this work, cost outcomes are reviewed in this paper. Due to inconclusive results, further study is needed on fibromyalgia treatment cost-effectiveness. These analyses could provide useful information for policy and evidence-based practice guidelines toward optimal disease management. Medical professionals should be a driving force in understanding the clinical and economic challenges of fibromyalgia.
Robinson
Rebecca L
RL
Eli Lilly and Company, US Medical Division, Outcomes Research, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA. rlrobinson@lilly.com
Jones
Megan L
ML
D000700:Analgesics / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D018803:Models, Economic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D000700:Analgesics; D000928:Antidepressive Agents