OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains challenging due to the high prevalence of chronic back pain in patients initially treated by nonrheumatology healthcare providers (HCPs). We assessed the patient pathway to rheumatology referral, including HCP recognition of inflammatory back pain (IBP) and other features suggestive of AS, diagnostic workup, treatment, and referral to a specialist, with the goal of identifying barriers to patient referral to a rheumatologist.
METHODS: US HCPs from 10 specialties were invited to participate in a cross-sectional web-based survey on clinical characteristics and diagnostic measures leading to IBP suspicion and the subsequent referral process. Eligible HCPs were actively practicing and had referred a patient with suspected IBP or ocular findings (ophthalmology only) within 12 months. Data were analyzed descriptively.
RESULTS: Of 1690 HCPs, 61% identified morning stiffness lasting > 30 minutes, 29% sleep disturbance due to back pain, and 28% pain that improves with activity as features suggestive of IBP. Nearly two-thirds of primary care HCPs reported that they were the first HCPs consulted by patients with suspected IBP. Among HCPs ordering diagnostic blood work, ≈ 90% selected antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor, whereas 76% selected HLA-B27. Almost 40% would treat patients with suspected IBP themselves. HCPs cited lack of adequate specialists nearby (35.1%), insurance restrictions (47.1%), and long wait time (77.0%) as barriers to early referral.
CONCLUSION: Most HCPs had difficulty identifying features suggestive of IBP and indicated insurance restrictions and long wait times as barriers to early referral of patients with potential AS.
