Fibromyalgia in rheumatology practice: a survey of Canadian rheumatologists

Abstract

Objective: To determine the perceived proportion of fibromyalgia (FMS) among new consultations in rheumatology practices relative to other rheumatologic disorders.

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional random mail survey of 100 Canadian rheumatologists. The sampling frame was the 1991 membership directory of the Canadian Rheumatology Association from which 100 nonpediatric rheumatologists practising in Canada were selected by stratified random sampling.

Results: Results from 89 respondents indicate that FMS is perceived to be one of the 3 most common diagnoses among new patient consultations across Canada. Perceived incidence was not affected by urban size or university affiliation of practice. FMS was the only rheumatologic disorder believed by a majority of respondents to have increased in proportion over the past 5 years.

Conclusion: In Canada, FMS appears to contribute to a high proportion of outpatient care in rheumatology.