The Effects of Continuity of Rheumatology Care on Emergency Department Utilization and Hospitalizations for Individuals With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Population-Based Study
Authors' conclusion
Patients with RA with higher continuity of rheumatology care had lower rates of ED visits and hospitalizations compared to those who did not receive continuous rheumatology care during the first 5 years of follow-up.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosed 2000–2009, followed until December 31, 2019
- Participants
- 38,528 patients
- Exposure
- Intermediate and not retained in rheumatology care vs high rheumatology care continuity during the first 5 years after diagnosis
- High continuityn = 22,221reference
- Intermediaten = 6,636
- Not retainedn = 9,671
- Outcome
- Rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations
Methodological detailslandmark analysis, multivariable Poisson regression
- Landmark analysis
- Multivariable Poisson regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
ED visit rates
Each group vs high continuityRelative risk (95% CI)
Intermediate
1.14(1.08–1.20)
Not retained
1.12(1.08–1.16)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | High continuity | Intermediate |
|---|---|---|
| Adjusted hospitalization rates | 193.5 (95% CI 191.4–195.6) per 1000 PY | 207.4 (95% CI 203.0–211.8) per 1000 person-years |
Original publication
The Effects of Continuity of Rheumatology Care on Emergency Department Utilization and Hospitalizations for Individuals With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Population-Based Study. J Rheumatol. Published 1 February 2023. doi:10.
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