ROCKLIN, Calif., March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a unique
approach that compares the attitudes of people living with
fibromyalgia with those of the general public, the American Chronic
Pain Association (ACPA) in partnership with Forest Laboratories
Inc. today released results from two new national surveys,
revealing substantial differences between public perceptions and
the private realities of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition
that affects up to 12 million Americans.
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The survey shows that people with fibromyalgia inaccurately
believe the public views them negatively. Forty-one percent of the
general public believes people with fibromyalgia are courageous,
while only 17 percent of people who have the condition believe
society actually views them this way.
"Imagine, for some people living with fibromyalgia, having to
deal with a persistent pain condition while feeling isolated
from society," says Penney Cowan, founder and executive director of
ACPA and someone who has lived with fibromyalgia. "These survey
results show that some people with fibromyalgia have misperceptions
about how society views them, and our hope is that they learn about
these findings and feel empowered to speak openly about their
experiences with this condition."
The two surveys also reveal that while 92 percent of the general
population has heard of fibromyalgia, many do not understand the
challenges the condition may pose for those living with it. For
example, what some may consider simple everyday tasks, such as
driving, sitting for long periods and doing household chores are,
in reality, difficult for people living with fibromyalgia. In fact,
67 percent of people with fibromyalgia symptoms report they are not
satisfied with their ability to carry out their normal routines,
yet more than half delay seeking help from a healthcare
professional.
"Many people in the general population have misperceptions about
the impact fibromyalgia can have on people's lives," says Cowan.
"This lack of understanding may lead people with fibromyalgia to
delay seeking help and receiving an accurate diagnosis. However,
the good news is that people with fibromyalgia, along with their
healthcare provider, can learn to manage their condition."
Importance of Early Diagnosis
An early fibromyalgia diagnosis is critical, but many with
symptoms do not seek help soon enough. According to the survey,
among people with fibromyalgia, most (77 percent) waited up to
three years before seeking help from a healthcare professional.
Remarkably, 70 percent of people with fibromyalgia reported that
they hesitated to visit a healthcare professional because they
thought their symptoms would go away. Yet once they did seek help,
55 percent said talking with their healthcare provider was a good
decision.
Fibromyalgia impacts simple everyday activities
- Seventy-one percent of people experiencing fibromyalgia
symptoms had difficulty vacuuming, doing yard work or cleaning
their apartment or house.
- More than half (58 percent) had difficulty lifting and carrying
a bagful of groceries or taking out the trash
Romantic intimacy suffers as a result of fibromyalgia,
especially among men
- Sixty-four percent of people with fibromyalgia in a
relationship reported that they experienced difficulty being
intimate with their partner.
- Among all people with fibromyalgia surveyed, more men (56
percent) than women (48 percent) said it has become more difficult
to be physically intimate with their partner.
- One in four men (25 percent) and 15 percent of women with
fibromyalgia reported that when they were experiencing symptoms,
they could no longer sleep in the same bed as their partner.
Fibromyalgia may contribute to decreased income,
missed work, increased sick time and missed career
opportunities
- Seventy percent of people with fibromyalgia responded that they
had difficulty completing tasks at work, and 61 percent admitted
their work life/career became more difficult because of their
fibromyalgia symptoms.
- Sixty percent of people with fibromyalgia responded that they
had to take more sick/personal days, and more than half (56
percent) reported their personal income had decreased because of
their fibromyalgia symptoms.
"As a doctor who has been treating fibromyalgia for several
years, I'm encouraged by surveys like these that increase the
conversation about the condition," said Dr. Beth Hodges, a
physician with Hodges Family Practice in Asheboro, N.C. "I urge people who think they
may have fibromyalgia to seek help from their healthcare provider
and maintain an open dialogue," she continued. "There are
FDA-approved treatment options specifically for the management of
fibromyalgia. The sooner people with fibromyalgia are diagnosed,
the sooner they can begin an effective management plan."
About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition marked by chronic, widespread pain
and tenderness, decreased physical function, fatigue and difficulty
sleeping. It affects up to 12 million Americans, with an estimated
70 percent undiagnosed. It mostly affects women, but can impact men
as well.
About the Surveys
The surveys, known as "Two Takes on Fibro: Public Perceptions
and Private Realities," were designed to gather and better
understand perspectives about fibromyalgia among people with the
condition and the general public, and to understand the level of
impact fibromyalgia has on a person's life, including daily
physical function, relationships, intimacy and workplace
productivity. The survey results aim to help bridge the perception
gap between the public and those who live with fibromyalgia,
improve awareness of the condition, promote a compassionate
dialogue, and help affect a better system of support for people
with fibromyalgia.
Research for "Two Takes on Fibro" was conducted by StrategyOne
and fielded by the Harris Interactive Service Bureau; 1,215 men and
women diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 1,022 adults from the general
population were questioned. The survey of people with fibromyalgia
was fielded between October 10, 2011
and October 21, 2011 and consisted of
58 questions. The general population survey was fielded between
October 10, 2011 and October 17, 2011 and consisted of 37
questions.
For more information about fibromyalgia visit
www.TheACPA.org and www.FibroTogether.com.
About the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
The American Chronic Pain Association has offered support and
information for people with chronic pain since 1980. Its mission is
to facilitate peer support and education for individuals with
chronic pain and their families so that these individuals may live
more fully in spite of their pain and to raise awareness among the
healthcare community, policy makers and the public at large about
issues associated with living with chronic pain.
ACPA support groups meet in the United
States, Canada, the
United Kingdom and in many other
nations around the world. In addition, the ACPA provides a wealth
of materials, including self-help manuals, videos, workbooks and
other resources that can help people with pain and their families.
These materials, created by people with pain for people with pain,
offer unique insight into the reality of chronic pain and its
management and hope for improving quality of life for those who
live with pain daily.
Learn more about the American Chronic Pain Association and
Partners for Understanding Pain at www.TheACPA.org.
About Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Forest Laboratories (NYSE: FRX) is a U.S.-based pharmaceutical
company with a long track record of building partnerships and
developing and marketing products that make a positive difference
in people's lives. In addition to its well-established franchises
in therapeutic areas of the central nervous and cardiovascular
systems, Forest's current pipeline includes product candidates in
all stages of development and across a wide range of therapeutic
areas. The Company is headquartered in New York. To learn more about Forest
Laboratories, visit http://www.FRX.com.
Media Contact: Mechal Weiss,
212-642-7731
SOURCE American Chronic Pain Association