N L Ambrose1, P O'Connell, G Kearns. 1. Rheumatology Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. nambrose2001@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were: (1) to assess how thoroughly RA patients were being screened for cardiovascular risk factors in our outpatient population and (2) to evaluate the benefit of introducing a shared care cardiovascular booklet. METHODS: We assessed 80 patients who attend our service with RA. Our initial audit revealed that 80% of patients had not been thoroughly assessed for basic cardiovascular risk. Based on these findings, we created a shared care booklet. RESULTS: On re-auditing our service, we found a significant improvement in the assessment of cardiovascular risks. CONCLUSION: There is currently a low level of screening for cardiovascular risks in busy outpatient clinics. We felt the introduction of a shared care booklet allowed an increased level of screening in our clinics and also acted as a tool for doctor and patient education.
BACKGROUND:Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were: (1) to assess how thoroughly RApatients were being screened for cardiovascular risk factors in our outpatient population and (2) to evaluate the benefit of introducing a shared care cardiovascular booklet. METHODS: We assessed 80 patients who attend our service with RA. Our initial audit revealed that 80% of patients had not been thoroughly assessed for basic cardiovascular risk. Based on these findings, we created a shared care booklet. RESULTS: On re-auditing our service, we found a significant improvement in the assessment of cardiovascular risks. CONCLUSION: There is currently a low level of screening for cardiovascular risks in busy outpatient clinics. We felt the introduction of a shared care booklet allowed an increased level of screening in our clinics and also acted as a tool for doctor and patient education.
Authors: E Hurt-Camejo; S Paredes; L Masana; G Camejo; P Sartipy; B Rosengren; J Pedreno; J C Vallve; P Benito; O Wiklund Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 2001-12
Authors: L T Jacobsson; W C Knowler; S Pillemer; R L Hanson; D J Pettitt; R G Nelson; A del Puente; D R McCance; M A Charles; P H Bennett Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 1993-08