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  • Title: Delayed referral of female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
    Author: Lard LR, Huizinga TW, Hazes JM, Vliet Vlieland TP.
    Journal: J Rheumatol; 2001 Oct; 28(10):2190-2. PubMed ID: 11669154.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether sex differences in referral exist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: At the Department of Rheumatology of the Leiden University Medical Center, a special early arthritis clinic (EAC) was established. General practitioners (GPs) were encouraged to refer patients with joint complaints to the EAC. Subsequently, the diagnosis RA was made by a rheumatologist. RESULTS: In this report, 142 women and 82 men were included. The delays in patient's first encounter with a GP for both sexes were comparable. However, a significant difference in the GP's delay in referring female patients with RA to the EAC in comparison with male patients was observed (median of 93 days vs 58 days; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This report determined GP referral delay of female patients to a rheumatologist. GPs should be made aware that early detection and early referral of patients with RA are crucial for early treatment.
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