National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit: Year 4 annual report

The National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) has published its latest annual report. Based on data from 11,722 patients seen in England and Wales for the first time within specialist rheumatology services between 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, it provides information on national and regional performance against seven key metrics of care and on outcomes. The report found that the speed of referral from primary care had improved, with 54% of referrals meeting the three-day NICE target (vs 47% in year two). Other key findings include:

• The first review by a specialist was achieved within three weeks of referral for 42% of patients (vs 48% in year two)
• Conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (cDMARD) treatment delays remain stable with initiation within six weeks of referral in 65% of patients (vs 64% in year two)
• Early arthritis clinics were available in 76% of departments (vs 77% in year two).

The report also found that disease remission was achieved in 34% of patients by three months after diagnosis (vs 37% in year two).  As such the report goes on the recommend that service providers should develop follow-up care pathways aimed at increasing the proportion of patients achieving remission within three months of diagnosis. Read the full report: You can read the report by clicking on the link below. Stay up-to-date: For notifications of future reports from HQIP, sign up to our mailing list.