Table 2.
FMS-related health care resource utilization during the past 3 months
| Health care resources (n = 57) | n | (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitalizations | ||
| Number of hospitalizations (max: 1) | ||
| 0 | 56 | 98.25 |
| 1 | 1 | 1.75 |
| ED visits | ||
| Number of ED visits (max: 3) | ||
| 0 | 51 | 89.47 |
| 1 | 4 | 7.02 |
| 2 or more | 2 | 3.51 |
| Physician consultations | ||
| Number of physician consultations (max: 6) | ||
| 0 | 17 | 29.82 |
| 1 | 23 | 40.35 |
| 2 or more | 17 | 29.82 |
| Family physician (max: 6) | 36 | 63.16 |
| Anaesthetist (max: 1) | 2 | 3.51 |
| Neurosurgeon (max: 1) | 2 | 3.51 |
| Neurologist (max: 1) | 3 | 5.26 |
| Prosthetist-orthotist (max: 1) | 1 | 1.75 |
| Physiatrist (max: 1) | 1 | 1.75 |
| Psychiatrist (max: 1) | 3 | 5.26 |
| Rheumatologist (max: 1) | 3 | 5.26 |
| Gastroenterologist (max: 2) | 2 | 3.51 |
| Respirologist (max: 1) | 1 | 1.75 |
| Urologist (max: 1) | 1 | 1.75 |
| Consultations to other health care professionalsa | ||
| Number of consultations to other health care professionals (max: 22) | ||
| 0 | 20 | 35.09 |
| 1 to 4 | 20 | 35.09 |
| 5 or more | 17 | 29.82 |
| Number of medical interventions and testsb | ||
| 0 | 52 | 91.23 |
| 1 | 2 | 3.51 |
| 2 or more | 3 | 5.26 |
| Over-the-counter medications purchasec (max: 5) | ||
| Yes | 38 | 66.67 |
| Prescribed medications purchased (max: 13) | ||
| Yes | 51 | 89.47 |
| Natural health products purchase (max: 6) | ||
| Yes | 30 | 52.63 |
| Medical aids purchasee (max: 4) | ||
| Yes | 12 | 21.05 |
| Employment of domestic help due to health status impairment | ||
| Yes | 9 | 15.79 |
| FMS-related additional expensesf | ||
| Yes | 16 | 28.07 |
Notes:
aIncluding nurse, acupuncturist, chiropractor, kinesiologist, massage therapist, naturopath, osteopath, pharmacist, physiotherapist, psychoeducator, psychologist, sexologist, and social worker
bIncluding gastroscopy, injection of corticosteroids, and magnetic resonance
cIncluding acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, analgesic rubs, antiacids, collagen products, ibuprofen, laxatives, and muscle relaxants
dIncluding 28:08 Analgesics and antipyretics (includes nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory agents and opiate agonists), 28:12 Anticonvulsants, 28:16 Psychotropics (includes antidepressants and antipsychotic agents), 28:20 Central nervous system stimulants, 28:24 Anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, 28:32 Antimigraine agents, 28:36 Antiparkinsonian Agents,12:20 Skeletal muscle relaxants, 52:16 Local anesthetics, 56:12 Cathartics and Laxatives, 56:22 Antiemetics, 56:28 Antiulcer agents and acid suppressants, 56:32 Prokinetic agents, 08:30.08 Antimalarials, 24:24 Bêta-adrenergics blocking agents, 24:28 Calcium-channel blocking agents, 24:32 Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, 40:28 Diuretics, and 92:00 Miscellaneous Therapeutic Agents according to the American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) classification system
eIncluding bathroom aids, bedroom specialized equipment, canes, heat/cold bags, heating electric pads, heating patches, lumbar support, orthosis, strapping/taping bandages, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices and accessories
fIncluding accommodations for outside town medical visits, ambulance fees, exercise/relaxation classes, house renovations (installation of custom medical equipment), and fees related to the reproduction/transmission of medical charts
FMS Fibromyalgia syndrome, ED Emergency department