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Patients with shoulder complaints in general practice: consumption of medical care.
- Source :
-
Rheumatology . Feb2011, Vol. 50 Issue 2, p389-395. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2011
-
Abstract
- Objective. To describe the medical consumption [general practitioner (GP) consultation, referrals, medication consumption] of patients with shoulder complaints in general practice.Methods. Data were obtained from a primary-care medical registration network. All patients aged ≥18 years with new shoulder complaints who consulted their general practitioner in 1998 were included, and were followed 10 years beyond the initial consultation.Results. A total of 526 incident cases were identified (average age 47 years, 65% women and average follow-up 7.6 years). Nearly half of the patients consulted their GP only once. For 79% of those patients, a wait-and-see policy or a prescription for NSAIDs sufficed. During follow-up, 65% of all patients were prescribed medication. Medication consumption was significantly higher among men than women, and higher for the 45- to 64-year age group compared with the younger group. A total of 199 patients were referred, of which 84% was to a physiotherapist and 16% to secondary care. Only two patients had surgery, performed by an orthopaedic surgeon. The GP recorded a diagnosis in only 14% of patients; rotator cuff disorder being the most common.Conclusions. Nearly half of patients with a new shoulder complaint consult their GP only once. Medical consumption in general practice is highest for male shoulder patients and the 45- to 64-year age group. Shoulder problems are mainly an issue for primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14620324
- Volume :
- 50
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Rheumatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 57546345
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keq333