New Global Survey Exposes Considerable Burden of Fibromyalgia Including Potential Econo...( PARIS June 13 /- - Lack of Phy...),Health

PARIS, June 13 /PRNewswire/ --

- Lack of Physician Education May Contribute to Problem

A new global survey of fibromyalgia patients and physicians shows that fibromyalgia, a chronic widespread pain condition, results in poor quality of life and poses a financial burden on patients often resulting in an inability to work and earn income. The burden of fibromyalgia may be further compounded by the fact that in most countries it takes patients on average, 1.9 to 2.7 years and between 2 and 4 physicians to receive an accurate diagnosis. According to the survey, lack of physician confidence in recognizing symptoms of the condition may be contributing to delays in diagnosis. These new survey findings were released today by the European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations (ENFA), a coalition of patient advocacy organizations, and Pfizer Inc, and include findings from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico and S. Korea.

Poor Quality of Life for Patients with Fibromyalgia

In all countries surveyed, patients with fibromyalgia say they experience 6 to 11 symptoms on average, including chronic widespread pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue and sensitivity to touch. Many of the symptoms are described by patients as extremely or very disruptive to the overall quality of their lives. Patients say the areas of their lives that are most affected are physical mobility, overall mood, concentration and memory, and motivation and drive.

Financial Burden of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia places a financial burden on patients and can result in missed work days and limited ability or inability to work. Across all European countries surveyed, at least 1 in 5 patients said they have been unable to work and earn an income. Furthermore, one third of patients in Spain, more than in any other country surveyed, claim they lost their jobs due to fibromyalgia. In most countries, around half of all patients say they have missed 10 or
'/>"/>