Non-inflammatory Musculoskeletal Pain Research Articles

A simple, clinically usable whole-body MRI system of joint assessment in adolescents and young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

To introduce and evaluate a simple method for assessing joint inflammation and structural damage on whole-body MRI (WBMRI) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which is usable in clinical practice. The proposed system utilises post-contrast Dixon WBMRI scans. Joints are assessed for synovitis (grade 0-2) and structural damage (present/absent) at 81 sites. The synovitis grading is based on features including above-normal intensity synovial enhancement, synovial hypertrophy, joint effusion, subarticular bone marrow oedema and peri-articular soft tissue oedema.This system was evaluated in a prospective study of 60 young people (47 patients with JIA and 13 controls with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain) who underwent a WBMRI. Three readers (blinded to diagnosis) independently reviewed all images and re-reviewed 20 individual scans. The intra- and inter-reader overall agreement (OA) and the intra- and inter-reader Gwet's agreement coefficients 2 (GAC2) were measured for the detection of a) participants with ≥1 joint with inflammation or structural damage and b) joint inflammation or structural damage for each joint. The inter-reader OA for detecting patients with ≥1 joint with inflammation, defined as grade 2 synovitis (G2), and ≥1 joint with structural damage were 80% and 73%, respectively. The intra-reader OA for readers 1-3 were 80-90% and 75-90% respectively. The inter-reader OA and GAC2 for joint inflammation (G2) at each joint were both ≥85% for all joints but were lower if grade 1 synovitis was included as positive. The intra- and inter-reader agreements of this WBMRI assessment system are adequate for assessing objective joint inflammation and damage in JIA.

Chronic Primary or Secondary Noninflammatory Musculoskeletal Pain and Disrupted Sexual Function and Relationships: A Systematic Review.

Evidence points to the impact of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions on sexual function, yet there is little systematic appraisal and synthesis of evidence examining these associations across noninflammatory conditions. We aimed to systematically review evidence surrounding the association between chronic primary and chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain with intimate relationships and sexual function. Four electronic databases were searched from January 1, 1990 to September 5, 2019 for cross-sectional or prospective epidemiologic and qualitative studies among cohorts with chronic primary or secondary noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain, defined by International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision classification criteria. Fifty-one eligible studies were included (46 quantitative, 3 qualitative, 2 mixed-methods designs). Sample sizes ranged from 13 to 12,377 and mean age from 32.6 to 69.2 years. Cross-sectional controlled cohort studies consistently reported poorer sexual function outcomes among cohorts with pain relative to comparison groups. Of 15 studies reporting outcomes for the Female Sexual Function Index, 14 demonstrated mean scores of ≤26.55 for the pain group, indicating sexual dysfunction. In 4 studies reporting the International Index of Erectile Function, the pain cohorts demonstrated consistently lower mean subscale scores and the erectile function subscale scores were ≤25.0, indicating erectile dysfunction. Three key themes emerged from a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies: impaired sexual function; compromised intimate relationships; and impacts of pain on sexual identity, body image, and self-worth. Sexual dysfunction and negative impacts on intimate relationships are highly prevalent among people with chronic noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain. Consideration of these associations is relevant to the delivery of holistic, person-centered musculoskeletal pain care.

Non-Pharmacological Treatments in Juvenile Fibromyalgia. Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

Fibromyalgia is a chronic, debilitating, non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain syndrome. In 1992, fibromyalgia was recognised by the World Health Organisation as a debilitating disease [1]. It is characterised by constant widespread pain, especially due to tender or trigger points, paraesthesia, sleep disturbances, fatigue, irritable bowel, burning during urination, headache, memory loss, difficulty concentrating and mood disorders [1,2]. It is usually diagnosed in adolescence. It can occur in school-aged children, with headache occurring in 68% of subjects [3].

Home-Based Health Care Interventions for People Aged 75 Years and Above With Chronic, Noninflammatory Musculoskeletal Pain: A Scoping Review.

Chronic, noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain is common in the aged population and management can be challenging for older people due to multimorbidity, social isolation, and physical frailty. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize and discuss the evidence related to home-based health care interventions for older adults, with chronic, musculoskeletal pain. A review of the literature using 8 electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database [PEDro], Scopus, and Web of Science) was performed, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. English language published studies that assessed home-based health care intervention/s, in men and women 75 years and older, with chronic, noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain where included. Two authors independently reviewed the articles and extracted data into a preformulated chart. The database search identified 4722 studies of which 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. Six of the 7 studies were randomized controlled trials and 5 studies focused on a single-site pain. The type of home-based interventions in the included studies was physical therapy (n = 2), psychotherapy (n = 3), and multimodal therapy (combination of multiple therapies) (n = 2). Participation completion rate was more than 74% in 6 out of 7 studies. Most studies used pain and/or physical function as their primary outcome (n = 6). Music therapy showed a statistically significant reduction in visual analog scale score for pain, and there was a trend toward improvement of pain and function in the physical therapy studies. No significant differences in outcomes between intervention and control groups were observed in the multimodal studies. This review highlights the scarcity of evidence related to home-based health interventions in older people 75 years and older, living with chronic, noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain. The findings were that physical, psychotherapeutic, and multimodal interventions are usually well tolerated and can be delivered as a safe self-management option. There remains a substantial need for more high-quality research with wider range of home-based interventions and comprehensive assessment of outcomes for this age group.

Acute Effects of Tecar Therapy on Skin Temperature, Ankle Mobility and Hyperalgesia in Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Professional Basketball Players: A Pilot Study

(1) Background: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a clinical condition characterized by localized non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain caused by myofascial trigger points. Diathermy or Tecar therapy (TT) is a form of noninvasive electro-thermal therapy classified as deep thermotherapy based on the application of electric currents. This technique is characterized by immediate effects, and its being used by high performance athletes. (2) Methods: A total of thirty-two participants were included in the study who were professional basketball players. There was a 15-person Control Group and a 17-person Intervention Group. TT was applied in the Intervention Group, while TT with the device switched off (SHAM) was applied in the Control Group. The effects were evaluated through the Lunge test, infrared thermography, and pressure threshold algometry at baseline, 15, and 30 min after the intervention. (3) Results: the Intervention Group exhibited a greater increase in absolute temperature (F[1,62] = 4.60, p = 0.040, η2p = 0.13) compared to the Control Group. There were no differences between the groups in the Lunge Test (F[1.68,53.64] = 2.91, p = 0.072, η2p = 0.08) or in pressure algometry (visual analog scale, VAS) (F[3.90] = 0.73, p = 0.539, η2p = 0.02). No significant short-term significant differences were found in the rest of the variables. (4) Conclusions: Diathermy can induce changes in the absolute temperature of the medial gastrocnemius muscle.

Measures of Juvenile Fibromyalgia.

Juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) is a chronic and debilitating noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain syndrome that is typically diagnosed in adolescence. There are no specific medical tests or disease markers to diagnose the condition, and classification is based on patient report of pain and other associated symptoms after ruling out other underlying medical causes. JFM can be disabling in multiple life domains and therefore, a multidimensional assessment of JFM is recommended to gain a full picture of the extent of JFM symptoms along with their impact on physical and emotional functioning and quality of life. The following updated review outlines evidence-based measures useful in the assessment of school-age children and adolescents with JFM. New measures include 1) the Pain and Symptom Assessment Tool (PSAT) that offers a standardized tool for the classification of fibromyalgia in pediatric patients and 2) the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Pediatric Pain Interference, Anxiety, and Depression Scales. Updated information is presented on previously established measures that assess the impact of JFM on functioning and quality of life - the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 3.0 Rheumatology Module Pain and Hurt Scale, are also discussed. In general, there are increasing options for validated patient-reported outcome measures available to measure the spectrum of symptoms in JFM and assess impact on daily life. Greater consistency in identification of JFM and use of standardized assessment tools will undoubtedly lead to higher quality research much needed in this relatively understudied musculoskeletal pain condition.

O13 Back to the Future: attempting to distinguish between inflammatory and non-inflammatory back pain

Case report - IntroductionBack pain is highly prevalent, affecting 40% of the paediatric population, with non-inflammatory causes accounting for the majority cases. However, the presentation of inflammatory back pain can be non-specific and a high degree of suspicion is necessary, particularly with the presence of risk factors such as HLA B27 positivity and personal and family history of psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and acute uveitis.Case report - Case descriptionA previously well 14-year-old Caucasian girl was referred due to persistent lower back pain, HLA B27 positivity, and a history of acute uveitis. She reports that her pain began around the time of a road traffic accident two years previously. The pain was persistent but varied in intensity, worsened throughout the day, on bending forwards, and during bumpy car journeys, and on occasion was mildly relieved by ibuprofen. She later also developed neck pain and right lateral thigh pain. Despite her pain she was able to continue walking and swimming but found that she had to stop trampolining and cycling. She had recently been treated for a painful, red eye with topical treatment.On examination she had full range of movement of her spine and tenderness over her sacroiliac joints and plantar fascia insertion points, as well as more widespread muscle tenderness. Her bloods demonstrated normal inflammatory markers and MRI of her lumbar spine, pelvis, and sacroiliac joints showed a subtle disc degeneration with bulge at L5/S1 without nerve root compression or evidence of inflammation.An MDT approach was taken to manage her pain, with input from occupational therapy, discussing pain processing, pacing, pain management strategies, and sleep hygiene, and physiotherapy including hydrotherapy and a home exercise programme. Despite these interventions, her pain progressed and resulted in further functional impairment. Following MDT discussion, an MRI, already repeated after her first appointment, was performed for the third time which on this occasion demonstrated bilateral sacroiliitis with subchondral sclerosis, erosions, and bone marrow oedema. A diagnosis of enthesitis-related arthritis was made and treatment with diclofenac and etanercept was initiated.Case report - DiscussionWith HLA B27 positivity and a history of acute uveitis, she was clearly at risk of developing inflammatory arthritis, but without evidence of inflammation on imaging or bloods, treatment with immunomodulatory drugs was not indicated. With a high prevalence of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain in adolescent females and the significant rate of persistent chronic pain into adulthood for untreated patients, early MDT input in this patient’s management was essential. While management of non-inflammatory pain is primarily driven by therapists, this case highlights the benefit of communication within the MDT and the important role of the medical team, in regularly reviewing the diagnosis, particularly where symptoms evolve or do not follow the expected clinical course.Case report - Key learning pointsIn the presence of risk factors for spondyloarthropathy, a diagnosis of non-inflammatory back pain needs to be regularly reviewed and evolving symptoms, clinical deterioration, and patient or parent concerns need to be addressed. Although important, HLA B27 positivity has an overall penetrance of less than 20% and therefore does not exclude a diagnosis of non-inflammatory back pain. However, when coupled with history of uveitis or significant family history, repeat imaging should be considered.

P62 Getting to know you: a quality improvement project designed to enhance paediatric inpatient rehabilitation for those with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain

Abstract Background In November 2018 the paediatric rheumatology team in Belfast attended the Bridges self-management course. Bridges reflects on what works well as a team and how you can build upon current practice, with an emphasis upon a self-management approach. There are eleven Bridges principles aiming to help interdisciplinary team’s co-ordinate their service around the patient. Bridges believes that the language we use can improve our clinical practice, especially with regards to problem solving, encouraging self-discovery, encouraging patients to reflect and enabling them to take action. Our team felt that we should use this approach to enhance our inpatient rehabilitation service. We chose this group of patients as we felt that this can be a challenging group to treat and it can take a long time to build supportive and trusting relationships. Methods Prior to commencing this project each member of the multidisciplinary team assessed the patient individually on the first day of admission. In retrospect we discovered that this led to repetition for the patient and this assessment was very clinician led. It also focused on clinician led (SMART) goals and achieving these. We furthermore realised we did not separately ask patients and parents what they wanted to gain from our service. Our method of improvement was to devise three questionnaires. One for a parent, one for a child under fourteen and over fourteen. These are distributed prior to being assessed by the team, allowing us to gather information and negating the need for repetition. The questionnaire gathers information regarding family members, education, school attendance, additional educational assistance, past medical history. For the patient we ask, what are their main concerns, what has helped so far, what support the patient has, what activities they enjoy as a family and what they hope to gain from their inpatient stay. The patient must fill out a description of their typical day, including their mood. Questions specifically for the parents are asking why their child has been referred, what their main concerns are, to outline their typical day, what do they feel has helped and what do they aim to gain from our team. Results We have utilised the questionnaires for every inpatient since January 2019. All team members feel that this new approach allows us to gain valuable information from patients and their parents thus encouraging them to adopt a self-management approach and to prioritise the patient’s story. As a team we feel that we learn a lot about our patients using this method and that it is more time effective. It allows us to identify unrealistic hopes and discuss these. Conclusion We believe that using the Bridges approach and by mainly adapting our language skills and organisation we have improved this service. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

One-year trajectories of depression and anxiety symptoms in older patients presenting in general practice with musculoskeletal pain: A latent class growth analysis

ObjectiveDistinguishing transient from persistent anxiety and depression symptoms in older people presenting to general practice with musculoskeletal pain is potentially important for effective management. This study sought to identify distinct post-consultation depression and anxiety symptom trajectories in adults aged over 50years consulting general practice for non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain. MethodsSelf-completion questionnaires, containing measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms, age, gender, pain status, coping and social status were mailed within 1week of the consultation and at 3, 6 and 12months. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify anxiety and depression symptoms trajectories, which were ascertained with cut-off score ≥8 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale subscales. Associations between baseline characteristics and cluster membership were examined using multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis (the 3-step approach). ResultsLatent class growth analyses determined a 3-cluster anxiety model (n=499) and a 3-cluster depression model (n=501). Clusters identified were: no anxiety problem (44.1%), persistent anxiety problem (33.9%) and transient anxiety symptoms (22.2%); no depression problem (74.1%), persistent depression problem (22.0%) and gradual depression symptom recovery (4.0%). Widespread pain, interference with valued activities, coping by increased behavioral activities, catastrophizing, perceived lack of instrumental support, age ≥70years, being female, and performing manual/routine work were associated with anxiety and/or depression clusters. ConclusionsOlder people with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain are at high risk of persistent anxiety and/or depression problems. Biopsychosocial factors, such as pain status, coping strategies, instrumental support, performing manual/routine work, being female and age ≥70years, may help identify patients with persistent anxiety and/or depression.

Factors associated with pain in children with hypermobility – a pilot study

Objectives To explore the relationships between the degree of musculoskeletal pain, pain associated with disability and quality of life are affected by having hypermobile joints. Methods Young people aged between 8-14 were recruited from the rheumatology based Non-Inflammatory Musculoskeletal Pain Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital over a 12 month period. They were assessed using biomechanical measures (muscle strength and degree of hypermobility), sensory processing using Quantitative Sensory Testing and psychological measures of anxiety, depression and pain coping styles using validated questions. Full Ethics approval was granted. Results 30 children were recruited (18 female: 12 male); mean age 11.08 with 77% being Caucasian. The mean Beighton score was 6.79/9. All patients reported pain mainly affecting lower limbs with an average score of 49/100 VAS. Degree of hypermobility did not have any impact. Reduced muscle strength was associated with increased pain and reduced quality of life. Other measures were compared to the norms for healthy children. Children with hypermobility appeared to demonstrate increased depression, negative mood, anhedonia and increased anxiety. They demonstrated reduced quality of life specifically with school, emotional well being, physical health and psychosocially. The subjects also had reduced sensitivity to touch including hot and cold. Conclusion The pain experienced by children with hypermobile joints is complex and includes biomechanical, sensory, psychological and social factors. This pilot study is planned to be expanded into a multi-centred project depending upon funding

OP0081-HPR Physiotherapist's Accuracy in Recognising and Diagnosing Inflammatory Joint Disease While Working in A New Patient Rheumatology Clinic

BackgroundPhysiotherapists working in triage roles are well established in orthopaedic and spinal clinics, but there is less literature available on their role in rheumatology. Physiotherapy clinical specialist posts were established...

AB0347 Barriers to Achieving Controlled Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Uae

BackgroundAchieving a low DAS28 (disease activity score) of less than 3.2, is a common treatment goal for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In clinics however, despite efforts, some patients still fail to...

Prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in schoolchildren during puberty and possible relationship with musculoskeletal pain: a longitudinal study.

The role of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in children has still to be elucidated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and persistence of ANA in schoolchildren during the puberty switch, and the possible relationship with chronic noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain (MSP). Children aged 8-13 years and attending 4 public schools underwent a clinical examination, focusing on pubertal stage and presence of chronic noninflammatory MSP. Laboratory tests to determine the autoantibody-profile were also performed. Subjects with ANA positivity (titer ≥ 1:80) and/or chronic noninflammatory MSP were re-evaluated 3 years later. Two hundred sixty-one subjects enrolled in the study and 12.3% were ANA-positive, equally distributed in terms of sex and pubertal status. Three years later, in the group of patients studied for chronic noninflammatory MSP (n = 67), ANA positivity significantly increased from 13.4% to 44.8%. In the ANA-positive cohort at baseline (n = 28), 92.9% of subjects were confirmed as being ANA-positive with a significantly increased titer. No association between ANA positivity and chronic noninflammatory MSP was found. ANA prevalence and titers increase during puberty, especially in females, but have no relationship with chronic noninflammatory MSP. This finding may be related to the complex hormonal changes during the puberty switch period and opens new insights into autoimmunity.

Overview of neurodevelopment and pain research, possible treatment targets.

Pain is a common presenting and often persistent symptom for children with rheumatological disease. Pain is not clearly related to disease severity in children with inflammatory juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and presentations of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain are common but there is limited evidence to guide management. Pain assessment must extend beyond measures of pain severity to more fully evaluate characteristics of pain, functional impact and psychosocial effects and family interactions. Evaluation of mechanisms of joint pain in adults has identified potential treatment targets, but additional studies are required as the acute and long-term impacts of pain and injury change during postnatal development. Genotyping, sensory evaluation and neuroimaging may better characterize chronic musculoskeletal pain, identify high-risk groups and/or provide additional outcome measures to monitor disease and treatment progress. An integrated approach to management is required to effectively select and target interventions, reduce pain and disability and improve long-term outcome.

Barriers to Optimal Disease Control for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With Moderate and High Disease Activity

To evaluate barriers that prevent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from achieving Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) scores within the current recommended levels for low disease activity (LDA) or clinical remission (DAS28-ESR score <3.2). Using an electronic medical record program, clinical data for RA patients treated in Optimising Patient Outcomes in Australian Rheumatology clinics, with a recorded DAS28-ESR score, were collected at one point in time. The data included demographics, medications, disease measures, and the rheumatologist's opinion of the main barriers preventing improvement to the recommended DAS28 score. Of the 4,037 patients with a recorded DAS28-ESR score, 304 patients (7.5%) had high disease activity (HDA) and 1,211 patients (30%) had moderate disease activity (MDA). For 584 HDA or MDA patients, the barriers to disease control (BTCs) were recorded by the rheumatologist when there was no adjustment to disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. The recorded BTCs were irreversible joint damage (19.7%), patient-driven preference (14.7%), noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain (9.2%), insufficient time to assess the effect of recently initiated DMARDs (9.2%), safety concerns (7.5%), comorbidities (6.5%), resistant disease (6.3%), and other less common reasons. These patients received DMARDs (97.4%), including biologic agents (34.1%), methotrexate (74.8%), and oral corticosteroids (41.8%). This study identified clinical situations in which rheumatologists elected to continue RA patients with MDA or HDA on DMARD therapy without adjustment to achieve clinical remission or an LDA target of a DAS28-ESR score <3.2.

PReS13-SPK-1575: Science of pain amplification

Pain perception is subject to powerful modulatory influences that can increase or reduce subjective responses in the short and long term. Nociceptive circuits can become sensitised causing both innocuous and noxious inputs to be amplified and their intensity and other sensory characteristics to be increased. Both central and peripheral mechanisms of sensitisation are recognised. Nociceptive mechanisms are immature at birth, undergoing both structural and functional change during normal development that can have important consequences for the maintenance, management and prognosis of chronic pain in children. The neurophysiology of pain in children will be briefly described with special reference to sensitisation in the context of non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain and pain amplification syndromes. A mechanisms based approach to the medical management of chronic pain in children will be discussed.

Point-of-Care Prognosis for Common Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults

Many site-specific, multivariable risk models for predicting the outcome of musculoskeletal pain problems have been published. The overlapping content in these models suggests a common set of generic indicators suitable for use in primary care. To investigate whether a brief set of generic prognostic indicators can predict the outcome of musculoskeletal pain in older patients presenting to general practitioners. A prospective observational cohort study conducted from September 1, 2006, through March 31, 2007, of consecutive patients 50 years or older presenting with noninflammatory musculoskeletal pain to 1 of the 5 participating general practices in the United Kingdom. During consultation, the treating physician assessed and recorded 5 brief generic items (duration of present pain episode, current pain intensity, pain interference with daily activities, presence of multiple-site pain, and ultrashort depression screen) and recorded their overall prognostic judgment. The primary outcome was patient-rated improvement, which was measured 6 months after consultation and cross-validated with repeated measures up to 3 years. A total of 194 (48.1%) of 403 participants were classified as having an unfavorable outcome at 6 months. Inclusion of 3 generic prognostic indicators (duration of present pain episode, pain interference with daily activities, and presence of multiple-site pain) in the prognostic model improved on reliance on physicians' prognostic judgment alone (C statistic = 0.72 vs 0.62; net reclassification index = 0.136; proportion correctly classified = 69%). The improvement in prognostic accuracy was attributable to correcting physicians' tendency toward overoptimistic expectations of outcome. Three easy-to-obtain pieces of information followed by systematic recording of the general practitioners' prognostic judgment provide a simple generic assessment of prognosis at point of care in older persons presenting with musculoskeletal problems to primary care practices in the United Kingdom. Such an assessment offers a common foundation for investigating the usefulness of prognostic stratification for guiding management in the consultation across a range of common painful conditions.

AB1146 Musculo-skeletal pain and joint hypermobility in children: A complex relationship

BackgroundBenign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS), is a non-inflammatory condition of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) associated with musculo-skeletal symptoms such as arthralgia or myalgia in absence of other defined rheumatic diseases....

AB0668 Joint hypermobility, growing pains and obesity are mutually exclusive as causes of musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren

BackgroundChronic Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is common in children and can be due to several non-inflammatory conditions such as the Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) and Growing Pains (GP). Since these...

Recruiting patients and collecting data for an observational study using computerised record pop-up prompts: the PROG-RES study.

Engagement of general practitioners (GPs) and recruitment of patients are ever present problems in primary care studies. This paper seeks to demonstrate that electronic prompts represent one method of easing the burden on GPs to recruit individual patients to studies and also provide the opportunity to collect research data during a normal consultation. Older adults consulting for non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain from five general practices in Cheshire were recruited to a prospective cohort study (the PROG-RES study). Recruitment of patients was aided by a computer prompt during relevant consultations. When triggered by an appropriate Read code, a pop-up template appeared on the consultation screen prompting the GPs to record the answers to seven brief questions. A self-complete questionnaire was mailed to patients who had completed templates by the Keele GP Research Network team and permission was sought to access their medical records. A feasibility study suggested that the potential number of activated templates in the practice within four months would be 636. The 44 GPs completed 650 electronic templates during the four-month recruitment period. Almost 40% of recruitment was within four weeks and greater than 95% of recruitment was within 16 weeks. Practices A-D completed electronic templates at a similar rate (1.61-1.86 templates per 1000 patients), although practice E completed templates at a lower frequency (0.76) due to internal difficulties. Completion of individual items ranged from 98% to 83% and completion of all seven questions was recorded in 63% of patients; 4% of patients had three or fewer responses recorded. Conclusion Templates activated by appropriate codes in the GP consultation can facilitate recruitment to observational studies in primary care. It is possible to collect high-quality research data within a normal consultation. This may be a model for use in future studies in primary care.