Background/Purpose: Fibromyalgia (FM) has been reported in up to 5% of adult population and its treatment still represents a challenge. In Argentina, there are few records describing the different aspects of FM patients. Therefore, the aim of the study was to describe the frequency of FM patients consults in daily practice and to analyze these patient characteristics.

Methods: Multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study that included a total of 759 patients with FM (ACR 1990 and/or ACR 2010 criteria). The number of consultations performed from January to June of 2017 (both the total consultations and those of patients with FM) was recorded. For each patient with FM, we collected the following data: age, gender, health insurance provider, whether it was the first time consulting a physician, professional who referred the patient, duration of FM, presence of concomitant autoimmune disease, comorbidities and treatment. Statistical analysis: Descriptive analyses of the clinical characteristics were performed, using absolute numbers and proportions for categorical variables, and means and medians, standard deviation (SD) and interquartile range (IQR) for numerical variables. Frequency of FM consultations with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was determined. We compared demographic and disease characteristics according to health insurance provider, public care and presence of comorbidities by means of chi-square or T-student test.

Results: A total of 759 patients (12 children) from 15 rheumatology centers were included. According to the complete registries from 6 centers, from a total of 7350 visits in a 6-month period, the frequency of FM patients consults was 10.4% (CI95 9.7-11.1). Out of 747 adult patients, 95% were women, median age 52 (SD 12.6), 9% were consulting for the first time and 78% had a health insurance. Median duration of FM was 24 months (IQR 10-48). Most patients resulted from referrals from General Practice (54%) and Traumatology (28%). About 28% of the patients have a concomitant autoimmune disease, being RA and Hypothyroidism present in more than 30% of the cases. Hypertension and Osteoarthritis were the most frequent comorbidities reported. Most patients (96%) were on pharmacological treatment (80% Pregabalin). The most frequent non-pharmacological treatments were kinesiotherapy (40%) and physical activity (27%). Patients from the public health system (36%) showed higher probability of being referred by other specialists (69 vs 48%, p<0.001), longer duration of FM (55 vs 32 months, p<0.0001) and less number of doctors previously consulted (2 vs 3, p<0.0001). Out of 12 pediatric patients (all referred by other specialists), 11 were girls, mean age 13 (SD 3). Median duration of symptoms was 10 months (ICQ 7-48); 75% were treated with NSAIDs and 25% with Pregabalin; 92% were on kinesiotherapy and 85% on psychotherapy.

Conclusion: Until the date, this is the largest Argentine registry of FM patients, including a large number of patients (both adult and pediatric) and many participating centers. We believe that this registry could provide evidence-based socio-demographic data, useful not only for clinical trials but also to improve treatment strategies in FM.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/argentine-registry-of-patients-with-fibromyalgia/