Earlier this month, the PCRMM participated in the Best Practice conference, held at the NEC in Birmingham. This annual event is one of the UK’s leading conferences for primary care professionals, bringing together GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers to share the latest developments and best practices in healthcare delivery. The conference offers an essential platform for continuing professional development (CPD) and provides insights into the latest clinical and service advancements in a range of specialties, including rheumatology and musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine.
At this year’s event, PCRMM contributed several key presentations aimed at improving the recognition, diagnosis, and management of rheumatological conditions in primary care. These sessions helped equip attendees with practical tools and knowledge to enhance patient outcomes.
Diagnosing Inflammatory Arthritis
Speaker: Dr Louise Warburton, Co-President of PCRMM, Shropshire Community NHS Trust
Louise discussed how to recognise and diagnose inflammatory arthritis (IA), focusing on effective patient history taking and distinguishing IA from conditions like fibromyalgia. The session covered:
- Recognising key signs of inflammatory arthritis.
- Understanding which blood tests to request.
- Differentiating IA from similar conditions like fibromyalgia.
- Exploring different types of IA, such as gout and spondyloarthritis.
Psoriatic Arthropathy: What You Need to Know
Speaker: Dr Toby Wallace, GP, Derwent Practice
Toby’s session focused on identifying patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in primary care. Early recognition and referral are crucial for improved outcomes. Topics included:
- The chronic nature of PsA and its impact on skin, joints, and tendons.
- The extra-articular manifestations, such as IBD and uveitis, along with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in PsA patients.
- Annual screening for PsA in patients with psoriasis using the PEST tool.
Chronic Widespread Pain / Fibromyalgia
Speaker: Dr Chris Ellis, Co-President of PCRMM
Chris explored the challenges of diagnosing and managing chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia in primary care. With a prevalence of 1 in 20 in the UK, fibromyalgia is difficult to treat, posing frustrations for both clinicians and patients. The session highlighted:
- How to recognize and diagnose chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia.
- Treatment options available within primary care, based on both current guidelines and clinical experience.
Understanding Blood Tests for DMARD Monitoring
Speaker: Assie O’Connor, Advanced Practitioner Pharmacist, Haywood Hospital
Assie offered an in-depth overview of blood monitoring schedules for DMARD (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) therapy, guided by the latest BSR guidelines. Key points included:
- Which blood tests are required for patients on DMARD therapy.
- Interpreting abnormal results and deciding when to hold or resume treatment.
- When to refer patients to rheumatology specialists.
The Best Practice conference continues to serve as a crucial forum for primary care professionals to gain insights into cutting-edge clinical advancements and improve the quality of care provided to patients. The PCRMM is proud to have contributed to this year’s event, sharing our expertise in rheumatology and musculoskeletal medicine. We look forward to participating in future conferences and supporting the development of healthcare professionals across the UK.
