Key clinical point: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were males or had multiple comorbidities were less likely to achieve quality care markers, thereby highlighting the need to prioritize early treatment in the vulnerable patient population.
Major finding: Among patients with RA, males (odds ratio [OR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.72-0.73) and those with a Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index >2 (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.86-0.90) were less likely to receive a rheumatologist referral, with findings being similar for annual physical examination. Additionally, the presence of diabetes was associated with reduced odds of receiving a rheumatologist referral (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.76-0.78) or annual physical examination (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.56-0.62).
Study details: This retrospective observational cohort study included 581,770 patients with incident RA.
Disclosures: This study was funded by joint grants from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-University of Michigan Medical Center to two authors. KC Chung reported receiving funding, research grant, and book royalties from various sources.
Source: Seyferth AV et al. Factors associated with quality care among adults with rheumatoid arthritis. JAMA Netw Open . 2022;5(12):e2246299 (Dec 12). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.46299.