Patterns of Health Care Utilization in Fibromyalgia
Patterns of Health Care Utilization in Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia patients had substantial health care utilization before and after initiation of amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, or pregabalin and generally had high discontinuation rates of these medications. Fibromyalgia treatment did not substantially decrease health care utilization. Compared to pregabalin initiators, duloxetine initiators had less health care utilization during follow-up. In future studies, researchers should examine the effectiveness of pharmacologic treatments combined with nonpharmacologic interventions in treating chronic pain, as well as the use of health care resources in fibromyalgia.
Conclusions
Fibromyalgia patients had substantial health care utilization before and after initiation of amitriptyline, duloxetine, gabapentin, or pregabalin and generally had high discontinuation rates of these medications. Fibromyalgia treatment did not substantially decrease health care utilization. Compared to pregabalin initiators, duloxetine initiators had less health care utilization during follow-up. In future studies, researchers should examine the effectiveness of pharmacologic treatments combined with nonpharmacologic interventions in treating chronic pain, as well as the use of health care resources in fibromyalgia.
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