Medical audit guideline about rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Introduction: rheumatoid arthritis is a frequent inflammatory disease and a leading cause of potentially-treatable disability. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased risk of general morbidity and mortality. New therapeutic options have dramatically improved the evolution of patients.Objectives: in this joint work of the Association of Auditing and Quality of Medical Care of Córdoba (ASACAM) and the Argentine Society of Rheumatology (SAR), we generated recommendations to especially assist medical auditors in making decisions to improve the quality of the medical and life care of patients and reduce costs in the management of rheumatoid arthritis patients.Intended population: in addition to medical auditors, these recommendations can be expanded to general practitioners, rheumatologists and clinicians, and eventually to the general public.Conclusions: suggestions for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (including biological therapies) are described, based on the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (SAR, 2013), the resolutions of the Compulsory Medical Program and the Unique Reimbursement System currently used in Argentina.

Keywords

• artritis reumatoide
• terapia biológica
• guía
• auditoría médica
• diagnóstico