RhePort 1.3 enhances early identification of inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a prospective study in German rheumatology settings

More efficient means of identifying patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) could allow earlier diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of a revised version of an online patient questionnaire-based self-referral tool, RhePort 1.3. This prospective study included adult patients with musculoskeletal complaints presenting for a first rheumatology visit at German RheumaDatenRhePort (RHADAR) rheumatology network centers. All patients completed the RhePort 1.3 questionnaire on patient characteristics and symptoms. Data from RhePort 1.3 were compared with historical data from previous versions. Of 614 patients, 225 (36.6%) were diagnosed with an IRD by a rheumatologist and 164/225 IRD patients (72.9%) had a RhePort 1.3 score > 1, the cut-off point used to determine the need for rheumatologic evaluation. A score > 1 was associated with an approximately two-fold higher IRD risk (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 1.98 [1.39, 2.83] vs ≤ 1) and had good sensitivity (73%) and moderate specificity (42%). Among patients referred through a standard referral pathway (n = 283), RhePort 1.3 scores > 1 in addition to physician referral were associated with increases in rheumatology-diagnosed IRD rates from 33.2% (physician referral only) to 45.7%. RhePort 1.3 had higher accuracy than earlier versions (54% vs 35%). We conclude that modest changes to the RhePort questionnaire resulted in increased accuracy. A score > 1 was associated with a doubled risk for an IRD and higher IRD rates in physician-referred patients. These data suggest that RhePort has the potential to streamline the rheumatologist’s workload and improve resource use. Further modifications are required to improve specificity.