Economic evaluation in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a significant public health problem, with high prevalence and associated with high socioeconomic costs. The main types of chronic musculoskeletal pain are low back pain and fibromyalgia, which are the main cause of disability and absenteeism worldwide. Cost-effective treatments may minimize the economic impact of these dysfunctions. Thus, economic evaluation may help in decision making during the choice between different interventions. However, the evidences on the cost-effectiveness of interventions for the treatment of chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia are still scarce. Therefore, the main aim of this research project is an implementation of economic evaluations in the treatment of chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia from a societal perspective. For this, four studies will be conducted: a systematic review of economic evaluations to analyze the cost-effectiveness of non-pharmacologic treatments for fibromyalgia; a randomized controlled trial with economic evaluation that will investigate the cost-effectiveness of Pilates method in comparison with aerobic exercises in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia; a comparative study between different instruments of utility in patients with fibromyalgia; and a study for identification of predictors of total societal costs in chronic low back pain. The results of this research project will promote information on the cost-effectiveness of interventions in the treatment of chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia. Furthermore, we may identify if there are discrepancies between two instruments of utility in patients with fibromyalgia and identify subgroups of patients with chronic low back pain that generate higher costs to the society. (AU)