Keele Research Repository
Explore the Repository
Hilder, SL, Muller, S, Helliwell, T, Prior, JA, Scott, I, Lawton, SA, Zwierska, I, van Schaardenburg, D, van der Helm-van Mil, A, Raza, K and Mallen, CD (2019) Symptoms associated with inflammatory arthritis are common in the primary care population: results from the Joint Symptoms Survey. Rheumatology, 58 (11). pp. 2009-2014. ISSN 1462-0324
![[thumbnail of 18-1994_AcceptedVersion (1).docx]](https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png)
18-1994_AcceptedVersion (1).docx - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
Download (52kB)
![[thumbnail of 18-1994-Supplementary data_R1 (1).docx]](https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png)
18-1994-Supplementary data_R1 (1).docx - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
Download (20kB)
Abstract
Objectives: To describe the prevalence of self-reported inflammatory joint symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness and swelling in UK primary care patients consulting for both musculoskeletal (MSK) and non-musculoskeletal (non-MSK) complaints.
Methods: A Joint Symptoms questionnaire survey was sent to 10,161 individuals, of whom 5,050 had consulted for MSK problems. These were matched by age, gender and general practice to non-MSK consulters. Participants provided data on relevant symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness and swelling. The prevalence of these symptoms, their severity and impact was compared between MSK and non-MSK consulters.
Results: 4,549 adults responded to the survey (adjusted response 45.8%) of whom 52.3% consulted for a musculoskeletal problem. The mean (SD) age was 61.6 (14.8) years and 58.9% were female. Persistent (on at least half of the days in the last month) inflammatory symptoms were common even in non-MSK consulters, with 42% reporting joint pain, 36% reporting joint stiffness and 18% reporting joint swelling. This is in comparison to 62% reporting joint pain, 50% stiffness and 24% swelling amongst MSK consulters.
Conclusions: Although symptoms such as persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are predictive of inflammatory arthritis, large numbers of people consulting primary care for non-musculoskeletal reasons report these symptoms when asked by questionnaire. This compounds the challenges of diagnosing inflammatory arthritis in a non-specialist setting where new approaches are needed to ensure accurate, early diagnosis, facilitating a treat-to-target approach.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Additional Information: | This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) will be available online via Oxford University Press at https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kez184 - please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | inflammatory arthritis, joint pain, joint swelling, primary care |
Subjects: | R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC925 Diseases of the musculoskeletal system R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC927 Rheumatism |
Divisions: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Primary Care Health Sciences |
Depositing User: | Symplectic |
Date Deposited: | 24 Apr 2019 09:02 |
Last Modified: | 11 May 2020 01:30 |
URI: | https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/6208 |