OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether sex differences in referral exist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: At the Department of Rheumatology of the Leiden University Medical Center, a special early arthritis clinic (EAC) was established. General practitioners (GPs) were encouraged to refer patients with joint complaints to the EAC. Subsequently, the diagnosis RA was made by a rheumatologist. RESULTS: In this report, 142 women and 82 men were included. The delays in patient's first encounter with a GP for both sexes were comparable. However, a significant difference in the GP's delay in referring female patients with RA to the EAC in comparison with male patients was observed (median of 93 days vs 58 days; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This report determined GP referral delay of female patients to a rheumatologist. GPs should be made aware that early detection and early referral of patients with RA are crucial for early treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether sex differences in referral exist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: At the Department of Rheumatology of the Leiden University Medical Center, a special early arthritis clinic (EAC) was established. General practitioners (GPs) were encouraged to refer patients with joint complaints to the EAC. Subsequently, the diagnosis RA was made by a rheumatologist. RESULTS: In this report, 142 women and 82 men were included. The delays in patient's first encounter with a GP for both sexes were comparable. However, a significant difference in the GP's delay in referring female patients with RA to the EAC in comparison with male patients was observed (median of 93 days vs 58 days; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This report determined GP referral delay of female patients to a rheumatologist. GPs should be made aware that early detection and early referral of patients with RA are crucial for early treatment.
Authors: Jennifer Waljee; Lin Zhong; Onur Baser; Huseyin Yuce; David A Fox; Kevin C Chung Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2015-03-04 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: Alaa S Barhamain; Rami F Magliah; Mohammad H Shaheen; Shurooq F Munassar; Ayman M Falemban; Mohammed M Alshareef; Hani M Almoallim Journal: Open Access Rheumatol Date: 2017-07-28
Authors: Julia Unger; Polina Putrik; Frank Buttgereit; Daniel Aletaha; Gerolamo Bianchi; Johannes W J Bijlsma; Annelies Boonen; Nada Cikes; João Madruga Dias; Louise Falzon; Axel Finckh; Laure Gossec; Tore K Kvien; Eric L Matteson; Francisca Sivera; Tanja A Stamm; Zoltan Szekanecz; Dieter Wiek; Angela Zink; Christian Dejaco; Sofia Ramiro Journal: RMD Open Date: 2018-12-05