Ankylosing spondylitis patients miss effective Tx due to lack of referrals; primary care docs 'a major barrier'.(Clinical Rounds)

SNOWMASS, COLO. -- Primary care physicians have proved to be one of the biggest obstacles to getting the new highly effective therapies for ankylosing spondylitis to affected patients, Dr. Christopher T. Ritchlin said at a symposium sponsored by the American College of Rheumatology.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors constitute a major therapeutic advance in ankylosing spondylitis. But rheumatologists have had a tough time getting out word of this new therapeutic option to the huge number of disaffected patients who were lost to follow up during the era of less-satisfactory treatment.

"We've had all these patients who've come to us, usually young very …