Use of primary health care and radiological imaging preceding a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide cohort study in Denmark
Authors' conclusion
Increased contacts to general practitioners and physiotherapists were seen in all 12 months preceding the RA diagnosis, intensifying in the last 6 to 8 months. Imaging increased from 3 months before the diagnosis.
Study context
- Population
- Patients diagnosed with RA in Denmark, 2014–18, and matched references from the Danish background population
- Participants
- 7,427 vs 74,270
- Exposure
- Patients diagnosed with RA vs matched reference individuals without RA
- RAn = 7,427
- Referencesn = 74,270reference
- Outcome
- Health-care use (contacts to general practitioners, private practicing physiotherapists, X-rays of hands and/or feet) in the 12 months preceding RA diagnosis
- Follow-up
- 12 months preceding the diagnosis
Methodological detailsnationwide registry-based, matched to 10 reference individuals per patient, adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity
- Nationwide registry-based
- Matched to 10 reference individuals per patient
- Adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Health-care use preceding RA diagnosis
- Patients with RA had increasing contact rates with general practitioners and physiotherapists from 6 to 8 months before the diagnosis
- Women with RA: statistically significantly more contacts to general practitioners and physiotherapists vs references during all 12 months
- Men: similar contact pattern, albeit less distinct
- X-rays increased slightly from 8 months before diagnosis, with a steep increase in the last 3 months
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Use of primary health care and radiological imaging preceding a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide cohort study in Denmark. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 17 June 2022. doi:10.
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