If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or follow local emergency care protocols or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Peripheral Spondyloarthritis - Psoriatic arthritis and Reactive arthritis
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- • Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Axial Spondyloarthritis – Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Crystal Arthritis – Gout and CPPD (pseudogout)
- Concerns for septic arthritis
- Severe drug reaction to Allopurinol
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Connective Tissue Disease - SLE, Scleroderma, MCTD, Sjogren’s Syndrome and undifferentiated or overlap CTDs
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Myositis - polymyositis, dermatomyositis, CTD associated myositis and undifferentiated inflammatory myositis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Vasculitis
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review – systemically unwell
Giant Cell Arteritis/Temporal Arteritis
- Presentation to ED if visual disturbance or loss
- Complications of disease or therapy requiring emergent review
*Discuss immediately by phone with local Rheumatology service if available (or General/Emergency physician if not) to facilitate access to temporal artery biopsy
