Understanding Barriers in the Pathway to Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results From a US Survey of 1690 Physicians From 10 Specialties.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains challenging because of the high prevalence of chronic back pain in patients initially treated by nonrheumatology health care providers (HCPs). We assessed the patient pathway to rheumatology referral, including HCP recognition of inflammatory back pain (IBP) and other features suggestive of AS, diagnostic workup, treatment, and referral to a specialist with the goal of identifying barriers to patient referral to a rheumatologist.

Methods

US HCPs from 10 specialties were invited to participate in a cross-sectional web-based survey on clinical characteristics and diagnostic measures leading to IBP suspicion and the subsequent referral process. Eligible HCPs were actively practicing and had referred a patient with

SUBMITTER: Magrey M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7571388 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature