Awareness of primary care physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the Chelyabinsk region

The current prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is estimated at 460 cases per 100.000 population, thereby imposing a considerable burden on the healthcare system. A critical element for the successful management of this condition is early diagnosis, which predominantly occurs in outpatient settings and is typically initiated by primary care physicians. Objective. To assess primary care physicians’ competence in diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving general practitioners and paramedics, totaling 622 participants, who are practicing healthcare professionals within medical organizations in Chelyabinsk and the Chelyabinsk region. From May to June 2025, a voluntary, anonymous survey was administered to participants via Yandex.Forms. Results. A total of 95.8% of respondents reported having experience in managing patients with RA, with 61% indicating that they initially diagnosed RA, which a rheumatologist subsequently confirmed. In terms of diagnostics, the respondents placed significant emphasis on objective examination (94.5%) and laboratory markers, including rheumatoid factor (98.2%) and C-reactive protein (93.1%). Among instrumental methods, radiography was most commonly used (97.3%). With respect to therapy, methotrexate was reported by 89.1% of respondents. Additionally, a majority of respondents (88.7%) supported the establishment of educational programs for patients with RA. An analysis based on years of experience revealed disparities in the competence in RA diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion. The findings of this study indicate a satisfactory level of engagement among primary care physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. To enhance medical care for this patient population, it is essential to implement structured educational programs grounded in clinical guidelines and to develop streamlined diagnostic algorithms.