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AB0583 REFERRAL PATTERN AND TREATMENT OF POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA IN GENERAL PRACTICE: AN INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY

Overgaard Donskov, A.; Mackie, S.; Hauge, E. M.; Toro Gutiérrez, C.; Hemmig, A.; Van der Maas, A.; Dalsgaard Nielsen, B.; Hansen, I.; Yates, M.; Frølund, L.; Douglas, K.; Van der Geest, K.; Rezus, E.; Monti, S.; Gromova, M.; Ocampo, V.; Appenzeller, S.; Erraoui, M.; Ajibade, A.; Marun Lyrio, A.; Grainger, R.; Sandovici, M.; Helliwell, T.; Brouwer, E.; Dejaco, C.; Keller, K.

Authors

A. Overgaard Donskov

S. Mackie

E. M. Hauge

C. Toro Gutiérrez

A. Hemmig

A. Van der Maas

B. Dalsgaard Nielsen

I. Hansen

M. Yates

L. Frølund

K. Douglas

K. Van der Geest

E. Rezus

S. Monti

M. Gromova

V. Ocampo

S. Appenzeller

M. Erraoui

A. Ajibade

A. Marun Lyrio

R. Grainger

M. Sandovici

E. Brouwer

C. Dejaco

K. Keller



Abstract

Background In most countries polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is diagnosed and managed by both general practitioners (GP) and rheumatologists. However, the referral pattern from GP’s to specialist around the world has not been described. The initial prednisolone dose recommended by EULAR/ACR is between 12.5 and 25 mg1, but little is known about whether these guidelines are followed everywhere by GP’s in clinical practice2.

Objectives This study aims to describe the refererral pattern and treatment strategy for PMR in general practice in several countries worldwide.

Methods An English language questionnaire was drafted by a working group of rheumatologists and GP’s from 6 different countries. The questionnaire contained questions on: 1: Respondent, 2: Referral pattern and 3: Prednisolone. Questionnaires were distributed to GP’s via members of the International PMR/GCA study group. Answers were collected via an online survey tool (Redcap), from 3rd of November 2021 to 27th of January 2022. Countries with more than 15 responders to the questionnaire were included in the analysis.

Results Data from 11 countries were analysed. Referral patterns differed widely among countries (Table 1). Almost all patients initially seen by rheumatologists were returned to GP’s for treatment. In all countries a proportion of the GP’s prescribed higher initial prednisolone doses than recommended, with a large variation between countries (Table 1).

Conclusion Although many patients were referred to the hospital for initial PMR diagnosis or during the disease course, a large proportion of patients received treatment in general practice worldwide. GPs frequently use a higher starting dose of prednisolone and shorter treatment duration than recommended by EULAR/ACR.

Citation

Overgaard Donskov, A., Mackie, S., Hauge, E. M., Toro Gutiérrez, C., Hemmig, A., Van der Maas, A., …Keller, K. (2022). AB0583 REFERRAL PATTERN AND TREATMENT OF POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA IN GENERAL PRACTICE: AN INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 81(Suppl 1), 1416.2-1417. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-eular.1380

Journal Article Type Conference Paper
Acceptance Date May 23, 2022
Online Publication Date May 23, 2022
Publication Date 2022-06
Deposit Date Jun 19, 2023
Journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Print ISSN 0003-4967
Electronic ISSN 1468-2060
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 81
Issue Suppl 1
Pages 1416.2-1417
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-eular.1380
Keywords General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Immunology; Immunology and Allergy; Rheumatology