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Rheumatology specialist care delivered at the Southern QLD Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature on the prevalence of rheumatologic conditions in Australian First Nations people. Existing evidence suggests a high disease burden with poorer outcomes. In 2016 a rheumatology clinic was established at The Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (CoE).

AIMS: To improve knowledge of rheumatic diseases presentations in an urban First Nations cohort and to assess the effectiveness of the CoE clinic.

METHODS: Data on attendance, diagnosis, treatment and demographics were obtained retrospectively from clinical records at the CoE from 2016 to 2020. Administrative attendance data for the largest public general rheumatology clinic in the region for the 4 years preceding the establishment of the CoE clinic were used as an historic cohort control.

RESULTS: A cohort of 93 patients was seen at the CoE with 439 appointments compared to 207 in the historical control. Common diagnoses were osteoarthritis (24%), seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (17%), gout (13%) and spondyloarthropathies (10%). 40% of the cohort at CoE were treated with at least one DMARD and 12% with a biologic or targeted synthetic DMARD. 75% of appointments were attended vs 71% in control group . Adjusted odds ratio of attendance was 1.35 (p=0.07).

CONCLUSIONS: Provision of rheumatology specialty care in an urban primary health setting aimed specifically at the needs of First Nations People, led to increased uptake and engagement. A broad range of rheumatologic diagnoses was made and significant DMARD treatments commenced. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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