Connective Tissue Disorders
The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details.
Availability
North South
North West
Statewide
This condition is treated in the Rheumatology clinic
Pre-referral work-up
History
Possible diagnoses include SLE, Scleroderma, Myositis, Sjogren's Syndrome
All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:
- History:
- Onset
- Pattern of symptoms eg proximal weakness
- Arthralgia
- Rash or oedema
- Sicca symptoms
- Raynauds
- Pregnancy history
- History of thromboses
- Functional capacity
- Social history
- Examination findings:
- Blood pressure
- Joint swelling/deformity
- Functional capacity
Refer diagnosed Scleroderma to Scleroderma clinic
Tests
- FBE
- ESR, and CRP
- U&E, eGFr
- LFTs
- C3/C4
- ANA/ENA/ dsDNA binding
- CK (raised in myositis)
- Urinalysis/MSU and urinary ACR
Interim/GP management
To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Rheumatology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.
Discussion with Rheumatologist may be of benefit in interim management if simple analgesia and local treatments are ineffective.
For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.
Urgent / category 1
Acutely ill with systemic symptoms eg renal impairment, dyspnoea, rapidly progressive loss of mobility
Acute thrombosis
Semi-urgent / category 2
Significant symptoms and laboratory findings
Routine / category 3
Borderline laboratory findings and minor symptoms
Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.
Patient information advice is found at Arthritis Australia
Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6777 6405 Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120 Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100 Fax: (03) 6173 0489
Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.
Please discuss with registrar or consultant. We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks.
Urgent referrals (e.g. temporal arteritis, septic arthritis) should be accompanied by a phone call to the Rheumatology Registrar or Consultant for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed to the Emergency Department.
We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks
Next available appointment