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Table 2 Prevalence of indicator markers and keywords in the records of rheumatoid arthritis patients in the year preceding diagnosis, and time interval before RA diagnosis

From: Optimising the use of electronic health records to estimate the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in primary care: what information is hidden in free text?

 

MEN N = 2,007

WOMEN N = 4,380

Indicator markers

Prevalence of marker

Interval

Prevalence of marker

Interval

(days before RA code)

(days before RA code)

 

N

%

Median

IQR

N

%

Median

[IQR]

  Inflammatory arthritis diagnosis

237

11.8

79

[22–154]

469

10.7

71

[17–175]

  Synovitis

65

3.2

66

[22–153]

114

2.6

84

[28–188]

  RhF test

1,114

55.5

49

[9–137]

2,397

54.7

43

[6–127]

  DMARD prescription (not including steroids)

681

33.9

45

[0–309]

1353

30.9

71

[0–326]

  Referral to Rheum

811

40.4

66

[13–183]

1642

37.5

70

[11–193]

  Joint sign or symptom

1032

51.4

132

[54.5-245]

2202

50.3

133.5

[52–259]

Keywords

Prevalence of keyword

Interval

Prevalence of keyword

Interval

(days before RA code)

(days before RA code )

 

N

%

Median

IQR

N

%

Median

IQR

  Rheumatoid A

590

29.4

37

[0–121]

1,262

28.8

28

[0–122]

  Positive RhF test

911

45.4

49

[7–136]

2,033

46.4

47

[7–151]

  Inflammatory arthritis

378

18.8

70

[17–168]

790

18.0

78

[21–183]

  Synovitis

379

18.9

57

[7–159]

789

18.0

55

[7–160]