AB1633-HPR LATIN AMERICAN RHEUMATOLOGIST AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION OF FIBROMYALGIA - FIBROLATAM SURVEY
Authors: G. Maldonado, E. R. Soriano, C. Rios
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> The management and evaluation of fibromyalgia (FM) is complex, the perception of the disease has been a debate within the medical community and patients. Surveys conducted among rheumatologists show that rheumatologists are not willing to take cases of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia[1] and are not completely satisfied with the management of the disease[2] or it is inadequate[3]. In Latin America there is not enough evidence to explore this perception <h3>Objectives:</h3> Determine the perception of rheumatologists in Latin America regarding fibromyalgia. <h3>Methods:</h3> Prospective observational study that involves a creation of a 38-question survey to inquire about the perception of rheumatologist towards fibromyalgia. Survey was validated by rheumatologist of the region and validated in Spanish, English and Portuguese. PANLAR Research and Ethical Committee supported the project. The survey was sent in January 24th, 2023 through PANLAR communication department to all members. Data analysis was performed with SPSS v.29. <h3>Results:</h3> We received a total of 434 surveys, 55% male and 45% women with a mean average of 48.06±12.35 [27-80]. The majority graduated from rheumatology fellowship in Brazil 31.3% and Argentina 27.4% and continued to practice in their country in 31.3% and 23.5% respectively. Approximately, 30.6% have been practicing for 6-15 years, 22.6% ≤ 5 years, 18% between 16-25 years, 13.8% between 26-35 years and 15% ≥ 35 years. The type of practice was private in 45.2%, public 31.3% and multidisciplinary (research and hospital practice) in 23.3%. The main focus of practice in general adult's rheumatology was 98.5% and 1.5% pediatric rheumatology. The main areas covered in adult rheumatology included inflammatory arthritis in 30%, CTDs 29% FM 26% spondyloarthropathies 25%, myopathies 23%, vasculitis 22%, bone metabolism 21% and pain in 17%. Rheumatologist were able to denied FM consults in 23.3%, 12.2% did not have the approval to denied consults and 64.5% did not denied FM consults. 60.8% agreed that rheumatologists should follow-up patients with established diagnosis of FM, and remain as the primary service of care with 30.4%; Approximately 16.6% consider PCP/Family Medicine as the main team, 15.4% psychiatry and 2.8% Neurology, however, 34.8% agreed that care should be multidisciplinary. 48.1% agree that fibromyalgia is primarily a psychosocial condition, and 42.3% strongly disagree that FM is an objectively defined condition. 78.6% were confident that they have clinical skills to effectively manage this entity. The majority with 90.6% had the priority to provide both symptoms relief and functional gain equally to these group of patients. The most used guideline was EULAR 2017 in 44.7%, followed by ACR 2010 in 37.6% and Canadian 2012 in 0.7%; 30.87% reported not using the guidelines. Regarding the use of validated questionnaires, 51% of rheumatologists did not use any, 16% FIQR, 14% PHQ/GAD, 3.5% FIQ, PDS 3% and 5% all of them. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> This is the first preliminary report of the perception of rheumatologists of Latin America towards fibromyalgia. The rheumatologist of the region consider that fibromyalgia should be followed by the speciality along with multidisciplinary teams. The majority of rheumatologist do not use the validated questionnaires for FM evaluation, however, 30.8% follow the recommended guidelines. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Ghazan-Shahi S et al. Clin Rheumatol. 2012 Aug;31(8):1177–81. [2] Hartz AJ et al. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2000 May;22(3):144–52. [3] Perrot S et al. BMC Health Serv Res. 2012 Dec;12(1):356 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>