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

Referrals should be marked as urgent and directed to the early arthritis clinic