Evaluation the Modalities of Rheumatoid Arthritis Management by General Practitioners in Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease. It is, therefore, a major concern in public health, requiring an early customized and multidisciplinary therapeutic management. Early diagnosis and treatment are key elements in the management of patients’ conditions. Objective: To assess the Evaluation the modalities of Rheumatoid Arthritis Management by General Practitioners in Bangladesh. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey targeting the community of GPs, operating both in the public and in the private sectors in all regions of the Bangladesh Population. The questionnaire was sent between February and June 2022. Confidentiality of participants was strictly maintained. The questionnaire included multiple choices questions and one clinical case closely related to good practice guidelines. With this goal in mind, a survey was conducted among GPs operating both in the public and in the private sectors in Bangladesh. Results: Out of 890 GPs patients selected, 110 GPs responded, representing a participation rate of 24.71%. Returned questions were analyzed, results were expressed as a percentage. Incomplete responses were excluded from the study. 54.1% of GPs worked in the public sector and 45.9% in the private. Mean number of RA patients seen monthly by GPs was 5.75 patients per month. Of all the surveyed GPs, 66.4% had a rheumatologist as a point of contact. With regard to diagnosing RA, half of the GPs were not familiar with the deadline for early diagnosis. One usually initiated corticosteroids at a dose of 15-20 mg / day. For ongoing monitoring f RA activity, 60% of GPs were unaware of DAS28, and 59% did not know the new 2010 diagnostic criteria. For first-line therapy, 42% did not consider Methotrexate as the standard first-line treatment for patients with RA. For 83% of GPs, treatment could be initiated beyond 3 months of the window of opportunity. A substantial majority of them expressed their wish to receive ....