Early arthritis clinic: A USA perspective

J.J. Cush

Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, USA.

ABSTRACT
An early arthritis clinic (EAC) was established to identify early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for clinical trials and to create a facile method of early patient referral from the practitioner to the rheumatologist. With minimal advertising and promotion, pa-tients with less than 12 months of symptoms were easily referred if the primary care physician suspected a rheumatic condition. Of those patients who were appropriately referred one-third had synovitis, 20% had diagnostic cutaneous findings, 20% were diagnosed with lupus (or lupus-like disease), 12.5% had RA, and 10% were diagnosed with a spondyloarthropathy. An EAC was easily established, implemented and staffed and resulted in the prompt diagnosis and early treatment of many patients who may have otherwise waited months for appropriate rheumatologic diagnosis and treatment.

Key words
Rheumatoid arthritis, early arthritis, referral.

John J. Cush, MD, Chief, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 8200 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75231-4496, USA.

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2003; 21: (Suppl. 31): S75-S78.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2003.