Adminஐﻬ
|
|
« on: April 21, 2007, 01:20:20 pm » |
|
National Fibromyalgia Association Epidemiological Study Results Released
Upcoming National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12
The largest online survey gives “snapshot’ of over 3,000 fibromyalgia patients
Morning stiffness, fatigue, non-restorative sleep, pain, low back pain, concentration, and memory “fog” were among the most common problems reported by people with fibromyalgia (FM), according to the results of an internet survey conducted by the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) in which over 3,000 people with fibromyalgia responded in less than 3 days.
The survey also reported that when it came to out-of-pocket expenses related to the management of their fibromyalgia symptoms, 74% of responders spend between $100 and $500 per month on over-the-counter products; 61% spend between $100 and $500 per month on prescription medications.
The survey is the first of its kind, giving a “snapshot” of people with fibromyalgia. Experts say the results can be used to identify significant issues for further research. “The dramatic response to this survey highlights a great need for more in-depth research to improve the diagnosis and treatment options for people with fibromyalgia,” said Lynne Matallana, president and founder of the National Fibromyalgia Association, the largest FM nonprofit organization in the world; its mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with FM.
Approximately 6 to 10 million people are afflicted with fibromyalgia in the U.S., with a female to male ratio of about 9:1, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association.
A vast majority of the respones from the survey were from the U.S.;46 responses came from 12 countries outside the U.S. The respondents were predominantly middle-aged Caucasian females, 75 percent of whom had experienced FM symptoms for more than 4 years. Only 3.2 percent of the responders were male. The age rage of all responders were between 17 to 77 years old.
Other survey results included:
64% were currently married 13.6 % had a household income of less than $20,000 21.7 % had a household income of over $80,000 63% reported lower back pain 47% reported recurrent headaches 40% reported chronic fatigue Symptom management interventions perceived to be most effective included:
Rest Heat modalities Prescription pain medications Prescription antidepressants Prescription sleep medications Prayer Massage Pool therapy Written by the study’s principal authors and investigators: Robert Benett, M.D.; Jessie Jones, PhD, FACSM; Dennis Turk, PhD; I. Jon Russell, M.D.; and Lynne Matallana, the complete results were published in the March 2007 issue of BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, an open-access journal publishing original peer-reviewed research articles on all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal and associated disorders, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.
National Fibromyalgia Association
2200 N. Glassell St., Suite A, Orange, CA 92865
Phone: 714.921.0150 Fax: 714.921.6920[/size
|