When to refer?

Referral criteria for Rheumatology:

Urgent Referrals

1. Early inflammatory arthritis (within 6 months of presentation) –see proforma
2. New diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis
3. Spinal pain – inflammatory
4. Polymyalgia
5. Giant cell arteritis
6. Lupus, vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, connective tissue disorders

Routine Referrals

1. Established Inflammatory arthritis & connective tissue disorders
2. Complex spinal pain
3. Soft tissue
4. Gout
5. Hypermobility – for diagnosis
6. Fibromyalgia – for diagnosis
7. Osteoarthritis
8. Osteoporosis
9. Paget’s disease
10. Unclear Diagnoses