The impact of rheumatologist-performed ultrasound on diagnosis and management of inflammatory arthritis in routine clinical practice.

ABSTRACT:

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-

SUBMITTER: Kelly S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5700521 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature