[Treatment and healthcare costs of fibromyalgia syndrome in Germany: analysis of the data of the Barmer health insurance (BEK) from 2008-2009]

Abstract

Background: The data available on the types of treatment delivered and healthcare costs of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients in Germany are currently not representative.

Material and methods: The data from all 6,897,846 insured persons of the German statutory health insurance company Barmer Ersatzkasse (BEK) before the fusion with the Gmünder Ersatzkasse (GEK) were analyzed if more than 2 billing cases with the diagnosis M79.7 were found (FMS cases) in the 8 consecutive quarter years of 2007-2008. In these cases the types and costs of out-patient treatment as well as the operation and procedure key (OPS) classification of in-patient treatment in cases of any discharge diagnosis of FMS were analyzed.

Results: A diagnosis of FMS was recorded in 14,870 insured persons in out-patient care and in 6130 in-patients from 1(st) January 2008 to 31(st) December 2009. The 1-year prevalence of FMS diagnosis was 19,592 of the patients (0.3%). Non-steroidal agents were prescribed in 48%, weak opioids in 21% and strong opioids in 11% of the out-patients with FMS. Out-patient psychotherapy was conducted in 8% of the FMS cases. In 31% of the cases hospital treatment was carried out of which 14% received multicomponent therapy. The average healthcare costs were 4,331 <euro> per year.

Conclusion: The data of the BEK document high healthcare costs and treatment which is mainly not in line with the recommendations of the German guidelines on the management of FMS.