Rheumatology

In March 2019, Stellar Healthcare commenced a Primary Care Rheumatology service. The aim of the service is to ensure that patients with a suitable rheumatological condition are seen in the community, rather than in a hospital setting.

Conditions covered

• Cases of equivocal appropriateness to Rheumatology: Sparse detail in history and examination findings, with either a complete absence of relevant investigations, or negative serology, unconvincing inflammatory markers and no signs of rheumatological disease on X-Ray.
• Fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain.
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica.
• Gout
• Isolated Raynaud’s phenomenon in the absence of clear symptoms, exam findings or inflammatory markers suggestive of underlying rheumatological disease.
• Weakly positive ANA serology with unconvincing or absent symptoms and signs of rheumatological disease.

Conditions NOT covered

Cases where history or examination findings are convincing for rheumatological disease with or without supporting investigations. In the early stages of disease seronegative peripheral or axial arthropathies are often unaccompanied by abnormalities on bloods and X-Ray. History and examination findings determine the diagnosis. Cases where a diagnosis of rheumatological disease has already been made and the patient has been lost to follow up or moved from another area.