Hospital discharge rate for fibromyalgia in Chile from 2019 to 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is the leading cause of generalized chronic pain and is often associated with fatigue, sleep disorders, and psychiatric conditions. Its prevalence ranges from 0,2% to 6,6% in the general population. There is ongoing debate about its organic and/or psychogenic origin. Objective: To describe the hospital discharge rate for Fibromyalgia during the period 2019-2022 in Chile. Methodology: This is a descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study in which the hospital discharge rate for Fibromyalgia was calculated according to age group, sex, and average length of hospital stay during the period 2019-2022 in Chile (N=188). Data were obtained from the Department of Statistics and Health Information and the National Institute of Statistics. Results: The total hospital discharge rate for the studied period was 0,27, with higher rates in women (0,47) compared to men (0,05). The age group of 40 to 49 years had the highest hospital discharge rate (0,69). The average hospital stay was 5,25 days. Discussion: The higher prevalence in women aged 40 to 49 years may be attributed to factors such as hormonal fluctuations, the coexistence of psychiatric conditions, and lower physical activity. The hospital discharge rate decreased during the years 2020-2021, which could be associated with the pandemic context. In other years, the trend was relatively stable. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of applying diagnostic criteria comprehensively and will contribute to further research on the clear association with female sex and psychiatric conditions.