IntroductionAxial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a systemic inflammatory arthropathy affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints and can also affect the peripheral joints and other body systems. Inflammatory back pain (IBP), associated with axSpA, can be difficult to differentiate from mechanical back pain (MBP) amongst primary care providers. This leads to significant delay in diagnosis, chronic pain and potentially irreversible structural damage in people diagnosed with axSpA. In order to mitigate these factors, a rheumatology inter-professional model of care (MOC) to screen for axSpA was established in Toronto, Canada.Aims Objectives Theory or MethodsAim: To evaluate a novel inter-professional MOC to screen for axSpA. Objectives: 1) measure diagnostic delay; 2) measure referral wait times from primary care to rheumatology screen; 3) determine the precision and accuracy of the screening process and 4) determine patient satisfaction with the MOC. Methods: Adults with back pain attending a dedicated community back program (www.isaec.org) underwent primary screening for IBP. Patients meeting IBP criteria were referred for a secondary screen by a physiotherapist with advanced rheumatology training. Precision and accuracy of each screen were measured against the clinical judgement of a rheumatologist with axSpA expertise.Highlights or Results or Key FindingsIn total, 410 patient...

Bridging the Gap between Symptom Onset and Diagnosis in Axial Spondyloarthritis: an integrated and stratified model for early detection

10.5334/ijic.ICIC21201