RheumatologyReferring to us
Early Inflammatory Arthritis
Referral Guidance
Suspected joint inflammation for 6 weeks or more (not more than 6 months) and any one of the following
- Swelling in 2 or more joints
- Swelling in the small joints of the hands or feet
- Positive MCPJ or MTPJ "squeeze test"
- Early morning stiffness >30 minutes
NB it is very helpful to provide date of symptoms onset.
Additional features that raises suspicion of early inflammatory arthritis
Constitutional symptoms
- Presence of other features related to arthritis e.g rash, painful red eyes or inflammatory bowel disease
- Family history of autoimmune disease
- Family history of psoriasis