Fibromyalgia: 1 out of 2 patients globally report significant impact on quality of life

•  A new survey¹ commissioned by Viatris investigates the far-reaching and still widely unrecognized burden of this chronic disorder on patient lives
• On average, diagnosis typically takes around one year, however nearly 1 out of 4 cases needed over 3 years also in Thailand.

BANGKOK – 13 May 2022 – Every year on May 12th purple ribbons appear worldwide to celebrate the awareness day on fibromyalgia (FM), a fairly common syndrome in general population with a global prevalence of around 2-8%², often characterized by the presence of widespread and persistent non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain associated with other different symptoms, both physical and psychological, which make it a difficult pathology to recognize early.

Viatris (Thailand) Co., Ltd., together with Med Park Hospital, organized ‘UNREAL PAIN (The Fibromyalgia Journey)’ to increase awareness of the condition. Siriwat Wetchakul, a physician specializing in rehabilitation medicine at Med Park Hospital, provided information about the disease during the event. Treatment and physical therapy was led by Annie Petcharat Sirilertsuwan from Pilates Studio by taking the patients through Pilates exercises.

Results of the Elma survey conducted by Viatris to study the needs of patients to and understand more about timely diagnosis and treatment were also released.

Pharmacist Aminta Yindepit, Head of Marketing, Viatris (Thailand) Limited., said, “Viatris is uniquely positioned to deliver on its mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, regardless of geography or circumstance. Improving access to sustainable and high-quality healthcare is our relentless pursuit. People suffering from fibromyalgia often are living with chronic pain. For this reason, our efforts are to help make fibromyalgia an increasingly recognized, less invisible condition while supporting patients to better manage the condition and improve their quality of life.

To reinforce this commitment and explore the impact of fibromyalgia on people’s lives Viatris conducted an online survey in six countries: Brazil, China, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey. The study involved 553 people who received a formal diagnosis for fibromyalgia and revealed their complex journey to diagnosis, unmet needs and how they cope with the condition. Chronic pain, fatigue and headaches are the leading initial signs and symptoms experienced by FM sufferers, the large majority very or extremely bothersome.”

According to the research, the journey of the Thai patients before diagnosis starts with a sense of fatigue, reported as one of the main symptoms by more than six in ten (63%) people. This was followed by widespread and localized chronic pain – respectively 40% and 46%. Almost two-third of patients (64%) suffered headaches, which often led to insomnia (53%) and anxiety (48%). More than half of all patients felt overwhelmed by anxiety, worry and depression. In THAILAND the most commonly associated emotion with the onset of symptoms is difficulty concentrating, in 28% of the cases.

Often fibromyalgia patients ignore symptoms as being temporary or connected to aging, even if they experienced the debilitating impact of this condition on most activities, especially social and leisure ones. Almost 1 in 2 patients globally felt the need to limit their work life (48%) and sexual activity with their partner (47%) as a result of fibromyalgia, while Thai patients had more activity restrictions than the global average with a percentage of 65%.

On average, patients wait eight weeks before seeing a doctor and need to consult three health professionals before receiving a definitive diagnosis. Additionally, just over 1 in 4 patients (28%) said it was difficult to find the right doctor to consult. During the diagnosis phase they go through numerous and unpleasant tests with diagnosis taking on average up to a year, although in one in four cases it took over 3 years. Orthopedic doctors (35%) and neurologists (28%) are most often associated with diagnosis.

More than half of patients have difficulty coping with the disease both emotionally and practically, with 58% of Thai patients stating that their quality of life is completely or severely affected by fibromyalgia. At least one-third of patients had to make significant changes in their daily lives, limiting activities or even stopping them altogether. More than 60% of patients reported difficulty coping, both emotionally and practically, while 5 out of 10 patients required family or caregiver support, especially with grooming and mobility, with a significant impact on their relationship.

Upon diagnosis, 39% of Thai patients were referred to physical physiotherapy while 40% were recommended to seek psychotherapy. One in five (20%) were treated with prescription drugs and given lifestyle advice such as sleep hygiene (24%).

In Thailand one of the leading HCP involved in FM treatment is Orthopaedics in 35% of cases, followed by Neurologist, 28 % of cases. The vast majority of patients around the world are highly satisfied with their treating doctors, although about half or more of the patients need better access to treatment options, physical therapy, and up-to-date drug information.

Urairat, MD. Siriwat Wetchakul Physician specializing in rehabilitation medicine Medpark Hospital said, “Looking back on the past 30 years of research we have learned that Fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to pain in the brain and spinal chord. These unusual levels of chemical in these areas stimulate the central nervous system to have a strong reaction to pain. Fibromyalgia can be found in people of all ages, but is more likely suffered by women than men. Also, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, SLE increases your chances of developing fibromyalgia.

Because fibromyalgia has a wide range of symptoms and symptoms it is often slow to diagnose, and people often go through many examinations and see many doctors before being diagnosed correctly. However, the fibromyalgia diagnosis relies on looking at the patient’s medical history and undergoing a physical examination, taking blood tests, and having radiographs. This helps identify other diseases with recurring symptoms. Treatment also has to continue for a period of time so that a correct diagnosis can be made.

The most important thing during fibromyalgia treatment is to educate yourself. It’s important to provide accurate information to patients to avoid confusion, fear and anxiety, or discouragement. Patients should be involved in decision-making about each stage of treatment, with the ultimate goal of reducing pain and improving overall physical and mental health to ensure a good quality of life for the patient.

Drug treatment plays a role in reducing pain, depending on which main symptoms are outstanding. However, it’s important that patients should consult a doctor and not make their own decisions about which drugs to take. Some studies have found that non-drug treatment is as important as medication, and activities such as land and water exercises, yoga, qigong, Chinese boxing, physical therapy, massage, and meditation, along with psychotherapy are recommended to be used before or in conjunction with medication to help cope with the chronic pain. Caring for fibromyalgia no hassle No complicated tools are required. but is a joint work of doctors and patients And it takes some time to be able to calm down. able to lead a normal life

Caring for fibromyalgia is not difficult and no complicated tools are required but it does take cooperation between doctor and patient. Most importantly, it takes patience to get used to the disease and adapt to be able to live a normal life.”

 

Annie Petcharat Sirilertsuwan from Pilates Studio, “Pilates is a low impact exercise that helps the trainer to stimulate the correct muscles better without being too much effort, and this can help reduce the pain caused by fibromyalgia. Doing Pilates can increase muscle strength while stretching increases flexibility.) Moving the joints and spine increases mobility and, importantly, can also help reduce depression as well. Recommended postures for fibromyalgia patients: Pelvic clock, Bridging, Arm arc, Bent knee opening, and Book opening.”

Learn more about Fibromyalgia (FM) at www.unrealpain.com

    

References: 

1. Elma Research LTD, March 2022 double-blinded quantitative survey based on a nationally representative population panel conducted in six countries (Brazil, China, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey). Total sample: 553 men and women suffering from fibromyalgia, aged 25-65 yo. Survey commissioned by Viatris. Data on file.
2. Clauw DJ, Fibromyalgia: a clinical review, JAMA. 2014;311(15):1547-1555, doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.3266 (Accessed April 2022)

About Viatris 

Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ: VTRS) is a new kind of healthcare company, empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We provide access to medicines, advance sustainable operations, develop innovative solutions and leverage our collective expertise to connect more people to more products and services through our one-of-a-kind Global Healthcare Gateway®. Formed in November 2020, Viatris brings together scientific, manufacturing and distribution expertise with proven regulatory, medical, and commercial capabilities to deliver high-quality medicines to patients in more than 165 countries and territories. Viatris’ portfolio comprises more than 1,400 approved molecules across a wide range of therapeutic areas, spanning both non-communicable and infectious diseases, including globally recognized brands, complex generic and branded medicines, a portfolio of biosimilars and a variety of over-the-counter consumer products. With a global workforce of approximately 37,000, Viatris is headquartered in the U.S., with global centers in Pittsburgh, Shanghai and Hyderabad, India. Learn more at viatris.com and investor.viatris.com, and connect with us on Twitter at @ViatrisInc, LinkedIn and YouTube.