Cost comparison of illness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia syndrome

Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent and expensive diseases. This study was conducted to estimate and compare the costs of illness of three musculoskeletal conditions. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), knee osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) who referred to a rheumatologist completed questionnaires about their socio-demographic condition, clinical status, and the costs of their disease (direct costs included visits, laboratory tests, imaging, and medications; indirect costs included absence from paid work, functional inability, and paid and nonpaid household help) in the preceding year. Statistical analyses were performed by descriptive analysis, and one way ANOVA and chi-square test were used for the comparison of three groups using SPSS ver 20. A p-value .