Referral pathways and duration of care for musculoskeletal complaints across Europe: an analysis of primary and secondary care
Authors' conclusion
Substantial cross-country variation exists in the management of MSK complaints.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with at least 1 musculoskeletal (MSK) encounter in primary care and patients in secondary rheumatology care, 5 European countries> 4 million primary care
- Exposure
- Care pathways for MSK complaints across 5 European healthcare systems
- Outcome
- MSK care pathways across 5 European countries: primary care MSK consultation, referral to rheumatology and rheumatology follow-up duration
Methodological detailsroutinely collected healthcare data, multinational (5 European countries), primary and secondary care
- Routinely collected healthcare data
- Multinational (5 European countries)
- Primary and secondary care
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Residents visiting their GP annually for an MSK complaint (UK data not available)
25% to 30%
Referral of patients with MSK complaints to rheumatology, varied considerably
5%-38%
Referred patients discharged within 3 months
46% to 70%
Referred patients remaining in long-term rheumatology care
13% to 43%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Referral pathways and duration of care for musculoskeletal complaints across Europe: an analysis of primary and secondary care. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 22 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →