Table 2.
Diagnostic Imaging Reported on Referral Letters Versus Actual Imaging Performed on the Patient, %
| Diagnosis | Any Diagnostic Imaging Reported on the Referral Letter | Actual Imaging Performed on the Patienta | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiographs | Ultrasound | MRI | ||
| All patients n = 2430 | 33.7 | 44.7 | 15.2 | 6.0 |
| Systemic inflammatory n = 745 | 30.0 | 49.4 | 14.8 | 6.3 |
| RA n = 120 | 32.5 | 56.7 | 10.0 | 5.0 |
| IA, other n = 167 | 32.3 | 52.1 | 16.8 | 5.4 |
| Crystal n = 122 | 40.1 | 54.9 | 8.2 | NR |
| PMR n = 66 | 13.6 | 43.9 | 27.3 | NR |
| SpA n = 76 | 40.8 | 50.0 | 13.2 | 11.8 |
| PsA n = 44 | 36.4 | 45.5 | 13.6 | NR |
| Other SARDs n = 150 | 12.0 | 39.3 | 17.3 | 8.0 |
| Osteoarthritis n = 787 | 46.4 | 49.9 | 14.1 | 5.5 |
| Regional MSK syndromes n = 395 | 34.9 | 41.5 | 17.7 | 5.8 |
| Chronic pain conditions n = 346 | 22.0 | 33.0 | 15.9 | 7.2 |
| Osteoporosis/osteopenia n = 45 | 24.4 | 37.8 | NR | NR |
| Other/miscellaneousb n = 112 | 12.5 | 27.7 | 17.0 | 6.3 |
Values are the percentage with the denominator being the N within each diagnosis category
Abbreviations: RA rheumatoid arthritis, IA inflammatory arthritis, PMR polymyalgia rheumatica, SpA spondyloarthritis, PsA psoriatic arthritis, SARDs systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, MSK musculoskeletal
NR Not reportable (to protect patient privacy)
aDiagnostic imaging performed within the 3 months period prior to referral
SARDs include lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis, Sjögren’s syndrome, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, sarcoidosis, etc. (not defined in the previous categories)
bMiscellaneous referrals such as abnormal tests