Quality and continuity of information between primary care physicians and rheumatologists

BMC Rheumatology

Table 2 Diagnostic Imaging Reported on Referral Letters Versus Actual Imaging Performed on the Patient, %

Diagnosis	Any Diagnostic Imaging Reported on the Referral Letter	Actual Imaging Performed on the Patient^a
Diagnosis	Any Diagnostic Imaging Reported on the Referral Letter	Radiographs	Ultrasound	MRI
All patients n = 2430	33.7	44.7	15.2	6.0
Systemic inflammatory n = 745	30.0	49.4	14.8	6.3
RA n = 120	32.5	56.7	10.0	5.0
IA, other n = 167	32.3	52.1	16.8	5.4
Crystal n = 122	40.1	54.9	8.2	NR
PMR n = 66	13.6	43.9	27.3	NR
SpA n = 76	40.8	50.0	13.2	11.8
PsA n = 44	36.4	45.5	13.6	NR
Other SARDs n = 150	12.0	39.3	17.3	8.0
Osteoarthritis n = 787	46.4	49.9	14.1	5.5
Regional MSK syndromes n = 395	34.9	41.5	17.7	5.8
Chronic pain conditions n = 346	22.0	33.0	15.9	7.2
Osteoporosis/osteopenia n = 45	24.4	37.8	NR	NR
Other/miscellaneous^b n = 112	12.5	27.7	17.0	6.3

Values are the percentage with the denominator being the N within each diagnosis category
Abbreviations: RA rheumatoid arthritis, IA inflammatory arthritis, PMR polymyalgia rheumatica, SpA spondyloarthritis, PsA psoriatic arthritis, SARDs systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, MSK musculoskeletal
NR Not reportable (to protect patient privacy)
^aDiagnostic imaging performed within the 3 months period prior to referral
SARDs include lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis, Sjögren’s syndrome, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, sarcoidosis, etc. (not defined in the previous categories)
^bMiscellaneous referrals such as abnormal tests

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