Value of rare diseases reference centers: impact on diagnosis and access to specialized care in fibrous dysplasia of bone

Reference Centers and Rare Disease Health Networks aim to improve the management of patients with rare diseases. The French reference center for Fibrous Dysplasia was certified in 2006. The objective of our study was to assess the effectiveness of our reference center since its constitution. In a retrospective cohort study, we compared the activity of our center, including the time elapsed between access to the center and the diagnostic delay of patients with Fibrous Dysplasia between two periods, 1994–2006 (before certification) and 2007–2019 (after certification). Data were extracted from patients’ records (Easily®). Wilcoxon and Fisher tests were performed, using R®. Our cohort included 527 patients with Fibrous Dysplasia/Mc Cune Albright syndrome. The activity of the Fibrous Dysplasia center increased from 139 patients in the first period (1994–2006) to an additional 388 patients for the second period (2007–2019). Mean time elapsed to diagnosis of Fibrous Dysplasia was 1.5 years before 2007 and 1.9 years after 2007 (p = 0.12). Diagnosis was made before referral in over 80% of patients. There was a non-significant decrease in the number of patients with delayed diagnosis: 37 patients (44%) in the first period had a diagnostic delay and 94 patients (33%) in the second period (p = 0.07). Patients were referred to our center on average 6.8 years (before 2007) and 7.9 years (after 2007) after their diagnosis (p = 0.77). Healthcare organization with reference centers significantly impacted the management of patients with Fibrous Dysplasia/Mc Cune Albright syndrome, with a substantial increase in the activity of our center, that roughly tripled since certification. This healthcare organization was also associated with a trend toward decreasing diagnostic delay. However, diagnostic delay affected more than a third of patients and the time to access to the center remained extended (≈7–8 years after diagnosis). The current challenge lies in informing primary care providers and patients about education to rare diseases and existence of reference centers for earlier and more effective specialized management. •Reference Centers aim to improve the management of patients with rare diseases, but we do not know their impact on care.•This study assessed the value of the French reference center for Fibrous Dysplasia.•This study highlighted the key role of GP in diagnosis and referral to reference centers.•This study highlighted the delay in referral as a critical barrier