To compare comorbidities, drug use, benefit costs, absences, medication persistence/adherence between employees with fibromyalgia initiating treatment with pregabalin (PGB) vs. antidepressant Standard of Care ([SOC] amitriptyline, duloxetine, or venlafaxine).
Retrospective study of 240 adults initiating PGB or SOC after 7/1/2007. Multivariate regression models on propensity-score-matched cohorts compared postindex costs, absences, and adherence between cohorts.
Pregabalin users had significantly more preindex muscle pain and dizziness and less depression than SOC (each P < 0.05). Use of some non-PBG/SOC drugs differed. No differences were found in total medical, drug, or absenteeism cost. PGB had more sick leave (9.8 vs. 6.8 days, P = 0.04), but other absence types were similar. All adherence metrics were nonsignificantly greater for PGB vs. SOC.
Despite several comorbidity and drug use differences, most employee benefit outcomes and adherence did not differ between the cohorts.