Abstract
221 - The Impact of Gender on Co-Occurring Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions and Pharmacotherapy in Veterans with Fibromyalgia
The journal of pain, Vol.29(Supplement), 105019
04/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105019
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain condition that predominantly impacts women. Persons with Fibromyalgia are at risk for having other chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) and psychiatric comorbidities. While prior research has focused on gender-differences regarding pain characteristics, psychological symptoms, and coping strategies, less attention has been given to the impact of gender on COPC comorbidity and the risk for receiving multiple central nervous system (CNS)-active medications. The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence of additional COPCs among men and women Veterans with Fibromyalgia and the impact of gender on the number of CNS-medications (including psychiatric medication), frequency of CNS-medication changes, and number of prescribers. Administrative data from Veterans Affairs (VA) were used to identify VA-served Veterans with Fibromyalgia (N = 30,462), of which 17,939 were female (58.89%) in 2022. COPC diagnoses were assessed using a validated algorithm (Schrepf et al., 2020). A one-year observation period was used for the CNS-medication study outcomes. Women were more likely to have a comorbid COPC, particularly migraine (18% men vs. 34% women). Women were prescribed a greater number of concurrent CNS-medications (IRR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.10), had more CNS-medication changes (IRR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.17), and had more prescribers (IRR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.10). These differences persisted, but were attenuated, after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics using negative binomial regression. Women Veterans with Fibromyalgia have an increased likelihood of additional COPCs and experiencing patterns of prescribing that may confer risks related to medication use.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- 221 - The Impact of Gender on Co-Occurring Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions and Pharmacotherapy in Veterans with Fibromyalgia
- Creators
- Jenna AdamowiczBrian LundLauren GarvinMary DriscollKatherine Hadlandsmyth
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- The journal of pain, Vol.29(Supplement), 105019
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc; EDINBURGH
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105019
- ISSN
- 1526-5900
- eISSN
- 1528-8447
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/2025
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Anesthesia
- Record Identifier
- 9984821349702771
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