We have located links that may give you full text access.
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Observational Study
The impact of rheumatologist-performed ultrasound on diagnosis and management of inflammatory arthritis in routine clinical practice.
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2017 November 23
BACKGROUND: Rheumatologists increasingly perform ultrasound (US) imaging to aid diagnosis and management decisions. There is a need to determine the role of US in facilitating early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis. This study describes the impact of US use by rheumatologists on diagnosis and management of inflammatory arthritis in routine UK clinical practice.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective study in four secondary care rheumatology clinics, each with one consultant who routinely used US and one who did not. Consenting patients aged > 18, newly referred with suspected inflammatory arthritis were included. Data were collected both retrospectively from medical records and via a prospectively-completed physician questionnaire on US use. Analyses were stratified by US/non-US groups and by sub-population of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-diagnosed patients.
RESULTS: 258 patients were included; 134 US and 124 non-US. 42% (56/134) of US and 47% (58/124) of non-US were diagnosed with RA. Results described for US and non-US cohorts, respectively as follows. The proportion of patients diagnosed at their first clinic visit was 37% vs 19% overall (p = 0.004) and 41% vs 19% in RA-diagnosed patients (p = 0.01). The median time to diagnosis (months) was 0.85 vs 2.00 (overall, p = 0.0046) and 0.23 vs 1.38 (RA-diagnosed, p = 0.0016). Median time (months) to initiation on a DMARD (where initiated) was 0.62 vs 1.41 (overall, p = 0.0048) and 0.46 vs 1.81 (RA-diagnosed, p = 0.0007).
CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis, routine US use in newly referred patients seems to be associated with significantly earlier diagnosis and DMARD initiation.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective study in four secondary care rheumatology clinics, each with one consultant who routinely used US and one who did not. Consenting patients aged > 18, newly referred with suspected inflammatory arthritis were included. Data were collected both retrospectively from medical records and via a prospectively-completed physician questionnaire on US use. Analyses were stratified by US/non-US groups and by sub-population of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-diagnosed patients.
RESULTS: 258 patients were included; 134 US and 124 non-US. 42% (56/134) of US and 47% (58/124) of non-US were diagnosed with RA. Results described for US and non-US cohorts, respectively as follows. The proportion of patients diagnosed at their first clinic visit was 37% vs 19% overall (p = 0.004) and 41% vs 19% in RA-diagnosed patients (p = 0.01). The median time to diagnosis (months) was 0.85 vs 2.00 (overall, p = 0.0046) and 0.23 vs 1.38 (RA-diagnosed, p = 0.0016). Median time (months) to initiation on a DMARD (where initiated) was 0.62 vs 1.41 (overall, p = 0.0048) and 0.46 vs 1.81 (RA-diagnosed, p = 0.0007).
CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis, routine US use in newly referred patients seems to be associated with significantly earlier diagnosis and DMARD initiation.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app