Predictors of urgent versus non-urgent referrals.
| Variable | OR | 95% CI | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Positive RF | 2.62 | 1.70–4.04 | < 0.001 |
| 2. Referring physician rating the referral as urgent | 2.05 | 1.33–3.15 | < 0.001 |
| 3. Elevated CRP | 1.97 | 1.23–3.15 | 0.005 |
| 4. Patient has seen a rheumatologist before | 1.80 | 1.17–2.77 | 0.007 |
| 5. Patient reports a history of joint swelling | 1.77 | 1.09–2.53 | 0.021 |
| 6. Duration more than 12 mos | 1.67 | 1.01–2.53 | 0.016 |
| 7. Patient reports a personal or family history of psoriasis | 1.65 | 1.03–2.65 | 0.037 |
| 8. Family history of RA* | 0.62 | 0.42–0.93 | 0.022 |
↵* Protective, less likelihood of an urgent referral. RF: rheumatoid factor; CRP: C-reactive protein; RA: rheumatoid arthritis.