Approach To Symmetrical Polyarthritis with Focus on Rheumatoid Arthritis

ABSTRACT

Symmetrical polyarthritis is not uncommon as a presenting clinical problem in the primary care setting. The ability to differentiate inflammatory from non-inflammatory, articular from peri-articular joint pain will help the Family Physician (FP) to further narrow the diagnosis of joint pain, and provide early referral and effective treatment when necessary. Integrating clinical reasoning with the concept of likelihood ratios in the process of diagnosis, FPs can also easily differentiate the various diagnoses of symmetrical polyarthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is also increasing evidence that shared care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be done successfully and safely between FPs and rheumatologists.