axSpA

PRIMIS has developed a pop-up alert tool which works with EMIS Web and TPP SystmOne GP IT systems that supports healthcare professionals in the earlier identification of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

The original tool was a collaboration between PRIMIS, Dr Raj Sengupta, Consultant Rheumatologist at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and a partnership with Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.

Working in collaboration with Novartis, we have made the tool available as part of an early adopter programme. This programme will allow us to assess potential for further scale and spread. Use of the tool in primary care can reduce the time to diagnosis and treatment of patients with axSpA. The tool has been designed to support, and not be burdensome, for clinicians working in general practice and trigger criteria have been developed to be as accurate as possible.

Dr Sengupta commented: "The axSpA tool has already shown to be easy and effective during the original trial in GP practices, here in Bath. Because of low prevalence of AS it rarely triggers, but when it does the impact that the popup can have on patients getting a faster and more accurate diagnosis is profound."

Use of the PRIMIS tool will support early identification of axSpA in primary care:

• refer quickly and provide early intervention (the current average delay to diagnosis from when symptoms start is 8.5 years, by which time irreversible damage to the spine may have occurred)
• provide earlier treatment initiation (delayed diagnosis is linked to worse outcomes and unfavourable treatment responses in patients with axSpA3)

Early adopter involvement

PRIMIS is delighted to be currently working with a number of practices on an early adopter programme for axSpA. 

Dr Tom Nichols, GP and PRIMIS Clinical Adviser explains more about the early adopter programme: