Positive Health Online

Abstract

LIND and colleagues, University of Washington, Seattle, and Boise State University, Boise, Idaho 83725, USA,  bonnielind@boisestate.edu, have analyzed the use of CAM therapies by patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

Background

The aim of this study was to quantify how visits and expenditures differ between insured patients with fibromyalgia who visit complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers, compared with patients with fibromyalgia who do not.

Methodology

Calendar year 2002 claims data from two large insurers in Washington state were analyzed for provider type (CAM versus conventional), patient comorbid medical conditions, number of visits, and expenditures. Patients with fibromyalgia were also compared with an age- and sex-matched comparison group without fibromyalgia.

Results

56% of fibromyalgia patients used CAM therapies. This was 2.5 times higher than in the comparison group without fibromyalgia (56% versus 21%). Patients with fibromyalgia who used CAM had more health care visits than patients with fibromyalgia not using CAM (34 versus 23; p < 0.001); however, CAM users had similar expenditures to nonusers among patients with fibromyalgia ($4,638 versus $4,728; not significant), because expenditure per CAM visit is lower than expenditure per conventional visit. Patients with fibromyalgia who used CAM also had heavier overall disease burdens than those not using CAM.

Conclusion

With insurance coverage, a majority of patients with fibromyalgia will visit CAM providers. CAM use is not associated with higher overall cost. Until a cure for fibromyalgia is found, CAM providers may offer an economic alternative for patients seeking symptomatic relief.

References

Lind BK, Lafferty WE, Tyree PT, Diehr PK, Grembowski DE. Use of complementary and alternative medicine providers by fibromyalgia patients under insurance coverage. Arthritis & Rheumatism 57 (1): 71-76, Feb 15, 2007.