Delays in visiting the doctor mean rheumatoid arthritis suffers are missing out on early treatment
An Arthritis Research Campaign-funded study has shown that many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are missing out on early diagnosis and treatment because they are not seeking medical advice when their symptoms first develop.
The study of 169 patients in Birmingham showed that there was an average delay of nearly six months between the initial onset of symptoms and patients being assessed by a rheumatologist in hospital.
The researchers found that the majority of delays occurred because sufferers failed to seek medical advice at an early stage. On average patients waited three months from the onset of symptoms before visiting their GP. In the majority of cases this accounted for more than half the delay in getting an assessment from a rheumatologist.
The paper is published in the current edition of the journal Rheumatology.
Data were collected from patients with newly presenting rheumatoid arthritis attending the rheumatology clinics at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust. Patients were asked when their symptoms first began and when they first saw their GP.
Dr Karim Raza from the University of Birmingham who led the research team commented: “Rheumatoid arthritis is relatively common, affecting one per cent of the population. Research over the last ten years has led to major advances in our ability to treat this condition effectively. However, current treatments are much more effective if commenced early in the course of disease.
“An early diagnosis is thus extremely important. Our research showed that although there can be delays in referring patients to a specialist the biggest problem is in encouraging patients to make an initial appointment with their doctor.
“This may be because patients don’t realise the potential seriousness of painful, stiff, swollen joints and the possible long term complications if effective treatment is not started early.”
The research showed that while the delay in making a visit to the GP was around 12 weeks, the delays in getting referred and seen by a specialist were significantly shorter. On average patients were referred to hospital within two weeks and given an appointment with a rheumatologist within a further three weeks.
Dr Raza continues “The reasons for this delay are unclear. The delay was not affected by the age or sex of the patient and more work needs to be done to fully understand why patients don’t choose to consult their doctor at an early stage.
“This doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be continued efforts to tackle any delays in getting appointments with consultant rheumatologists, but we are now looking at developing better educational programmes to try and encourage patients with relevant symptoms to seek medical advice.
“It is important that patients are able to take advantage of the great advances in treatment by seeking help early.”
