Transforming patient outcomes: early diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)
PRIMIS' axSpA pop-up alert tool is designed to seamlessly integrate with EMIS Web and TPP SystmOne GP IT systems. This innovative tool empowers healthcare professionals to identify axSpA earlier, potentially reducing diagnostic delays and accelerating treatment.
The tool is being introduced as part of a movement to improve patient care with the' Act on Axial SpA' campaign, spearheaded by the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS).
With the support of NASS, practices from the Southwest Axial Spondyloarthritis Group (SWAG) and the Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) localities, with their respective consultant rheumatologist and clinical teams, will monitor the effectiveness and acceptability of this approach.
NASS
A powerful collaboration
The original model was developed by PRIMIS in partnership with Dr. Raj Sengupta, Consultant Rheumatologist at Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS FoundationTrust, with the support of Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, with an aim to transform the current diagnostic landscape.
Reducing diagnostic delays
According to NASS, the average time to diagnose axSpA is more than eight years, a delay that often leads to irreversible spine damage. The PRIMIS alert tool significantly shortens this time, enabling healthcare providers to:
- quickly refer patients for timely intervention
- initiate treatment sooner, reducing the risk of long-term damage and improving patient outcomes
The tool is designed with clinicians in mind, offering intuitive, non-intrusive support that enhances decision-making without adding extra workload. With carefully crafted trigger criteria it ensures that only the most accurate and relevant alerts are triggered, supporting more precise diagnoses and better care for patients.
Real-world impact
Dr. Raj Sengupta explained: “During the initial trial in GP practices, the tool was shown to be both easy to use and highly effective. Despite the low prevalence of axSpA, when the alert triggers, it leads to faster, more accurate diagnoses and ultimately better patient care.”
Comprehensive reporting for continuous improvement
The associated reporting tools offer valuable insights:
- frequency of alerts and clinician responses, including referrals and diagnoses
- retrospective population searches for patients who meet the alert criteria and may have undiagnosed axSpA but haven’t yet attended a consultation.
The SWAG/BLMK AxSpA Programme, sponsored by NASS, will leverage these reports to:
- monitor the effectiveness of in-consultation alerts for axSpA detection
- proactively identify patients for further assessment through retrospective searches and self-assessment questionnaires
Additionally, the previous cohort of early adopters will continue to benefit from ongoing access to the toolkit, ensuring sustained impact across practices.
Unlocking the future of axSpA diagnosis
This pilot will contribute to a nationwide effort to diagnose and treat axial spondyloarthritis earlier, helping patients live healthier, more active lives.