Rheumatoid arthritis: register
Indicator
The practice can produce a register of all patients aged 16 years and over with rheumatoid arthritis.
Indicator type
General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.
This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.
To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.
Rationale
An accurate register is a prerequisite to ensuring proactive engagement with patients with a defined condition.
Early identification of recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis is important because long-term outcomes are improved if disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) treatment is started shortly after the onset of symptoms.
Source guidance
Rheumatoid arthritis in adults: management. NICE guideline NG100 (2018)
Specification
A register of people with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Exclusions: Patients aged 15 years and under.
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-6081-1