Rheumatology
Acute Polyarthritis Assessment
Pattern recognition — symmetric / asymmetric, acute / chronic, large / small joint — directs investigation and onward referral.
Source: BSR; EULAR
Step 1 of ~8
info
History + Examination
Define: onset (acute <6 weeks vs chronic), pattern (mono- / oligo- (≤4) / poly- (≥5)), distribution (symmetric vs asymmetric), large vs small, axial involvement, morning stiffness duration (≥1h inflammatory), associated features (rash, eye, mucosal, GI, GU, dactylitis, enthesitis, Raynaud's, sicca, mononeuritis), preceding infection, family history. Examine all joints + skin + eyes + cardiovascular + abdo.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Glyceryl Trinitrate (Sublingual / IV) · Nitrate / Acute Angina
- Dobutamine (Acute HF / Stress Echo) · Inotrope / Acute Heart Failure
- Milrinone · Inodilator / Acute Heart Failure
- Prednisolone (Systemic) · Systemic Corticosteroid — Acute Dermatoses
- Omalizumab (Dermatology — Chronic Urticaria) · Anti-IgE Monoclonal Antibody
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
Pathways
- Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus · BAD; EULAR
- Osteoporosis / Fragility Fracture · NOGG 2021; NICE NG147; NG224
- Arteritic AION (Giant Cell Arteritis) · RCOphth; BSR
- Osteoarthritis Hip / Knee Management · NICE NG226 (2022)
- Lupus Nephritis · EULAR/ERA-EDTA 2019; KDIGO 2024
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Management · NICE CG79 2018 / EULAR 2022
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.