Rheumatology

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  Emergency

  If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Concerns for septic arthritis
  • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell

  Peripheral Spondyloarthritis - Psoriatic arthritis and Reactive arthritis

  • Concerns for septic arthritis
  • • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell

  Axial Spondyloarthritis – Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • Concerns for septic arthritis
  • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell

  Crystal Arthritis – Gout and CPPD (pseudogout)

  • Concerns for septic arthritis
  • Severe drug reaction to Allopurinol

  Polymyalgia Rheumatica

  • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell

  Connective Tissue Disease - SLE, Scleroderma, MCTD, Sjogren's Syndrome and undifferentiated or overlap CTDs

  • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell

  Myositis - polymyositis, dermatomyositis, CTD associated myositis and undifferentiated inflammatory myositis

  • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell

  Vasculitis

  • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell

  Giant Cell Arteritis/Temporal Arteritis

  • Presentation to ED if visual disturbance or loss
  • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review

  *Discuss immediately by phone with local Rheumatology service if available (or General/Emergency physician if not) to facilitate access to temporal artery biopsy

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  CPC in scope Not an exhaustive list

  Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all conditions for outpatient services and does not exclude consideration for referral unless specifically stipulated in the CPC out of scope section.

  • Axial Spondyloarthritis – Ankylosing Spondylitis ADULT
  • Connective Tissue Disease - SLE, Scleroderma, MCTD, Sjogren’s Syndrome and undifferentiated or overlap CTDs ADULT
  • Crystal Arthritis – Gout and CPPD (pseudogout) ADULT
  • Fibromyalgia ADULT
  • Giant Cell Arteritis/Temporal Arteritis ADULT
  • Myositis - polymyositis, dermatomyositis, CTD associated myositis and undifferentiated inflammatory myositis ADULT
  • Osteoarthritis ADULT
  • Peripheral Spondyloarthritis - Psoriatic arthritis and Reactive arthritis ADULT
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica ADULT
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis ADULT
  • Vasculitis (non GCA/Temporal Arteritis) ADULT
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  CPC out of scope

  The following are not routinely provided in a public Rheumatology service.

  Nil noted