Patient outcomes and clinical practice for spondyloarthritis-inflammatory bowel disease (SpA-IBD) can be significantly improved through regular multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, researchers report.
A UK single centre analysis has shown the positive impact such meetings can have, as patients, doctors and the institution “all greatly benefited to a great extent”.
The findings also support use of MDTs in other areas of rheumatology and gastroenterology, according to the paper, published in Rheumatology (link here).
The retrospective, observational, case-note review looked at outcomes for 226 cases discussed at SpA-IBD MDT meetings, which were held every two months.
Patients referred to the MDT either had an established diagnosis of SpA and/or IBD, with one or both uncontrolled by treatment, or clinical symptoms indicating the presence of either condition.
Analysis of the data showed that in more than half of cases (57%), MDT discussion drove an “instant change” in disease management, such as change or reduction in immunomodulatory therapy.