Dos and Don’ts in der rheumatologischen Primärversorgung

As resources for the care of patients with rheumatological diseases are limited in some regions of Austria, close cooperation between primary care physicians and rheumatologists is important. Common, well-characterized rheumatological diseases for which there are also well-established treatment regimens (arthritis urica, polymyalgia rheumatica) can be treated in primary care. Rheumatologists should be consulted for complex or atypical courses. Determination of laboratory parameters, such as antinuclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27), should be avoided without sufficient pre-test probability, as this results in costs and patients are often referred for an unnecessary rheumatological clarification. Glucocorticoid therapy for suspected rheumatological disease without prior diagnosis should be avoided, as symptoms can be masked, and a diagnosis delayed.