FRI0440 Referral patterns and diagnosis of patients with axial spondyloarthritis: results of an international survey

Background Appropriate identification and referral of patients with symptoms suggestive of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) can facilitate earlier diagnosis and management. Understanding current referral practices used by primary care and other health-care providers can identify areas for further education and intervention. Objectives To compare referral patterns and diagnostic tools for axSpA used by rheumatologists working in academic centers and in community clinical practice settings. Methods The MAXIMA (Management of Axial SpA International and Multicentric Approaches) survey asked respondents questions pertaining to referral, diagnosis, and management of patients with axSpA. The survey was completed anonymously online by rheumatologists from 42 countries in Europe, Latin America, and North America. The MAXIMA survey was funded by AbbVie and conducted by a third-party vendor with guidance and approval of the questionnaire by a steering committee of SpA experts. Participants were not compensated for completing the survey. Results 500 surveys were completed by 141 rheumatologists in academic practice settings (28%) and 359 rheumatologists in community practice settings (72%). Only 58% of academic rheumatologists compared to 72% of clinical rheumatologists agreed that the concept of axial SpA is clear to the rheumatology community. However, responses to various questions about referral and diagnostic work-up for patients with axSpA were generally similar in both practice settings. The majority of referrals for patients with chronic back pain for ≥3 months and onset