Reumatologia intervencionista: competência dos reumatologistas brasileiros

Objectives

Describe Brazilian rheumatologists's competence in interventional rheumatology (IR); assess the association between this ability and demographic and training variables.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study with 500 Brazilian rheumatologists. Participants were assessed by self‐administered questionnaire consisting of demographics, training, practice in office and knowledge in IR data.

Results

463 participants had their data analyzed. The mean age was 40.2 years (± 11.2). 70% had performed periarticular injections (PAI) and 78% had performed intra‐articular injections (IIA). The sample was divided into three groups: non‐interventionist, little interventionist and very interventionist. The non‐interventionist group showed (p < 0,001–0,04) higher mean age, lower proportion of university bond, lower training history, higher proportion of graduates in the Southeast country, and higher proportion of graduates in the 1980s to 1989. The very interventionist group showed higher (p < 0,001 ‐ 0,018) proportion of adult rheumatologist, higher proportion of university bond, longer training time greater practice of complex procedures, higher proportion of graduates, trained and with private practice in the South country. Variables most associated to the very interventionist subgroup: performing axial IIA (OR: 7.4, p < 0.001), synovial biopsy (OR: 5.75, p = 0.043), image‐guided IIA (OR: 4.16, p < 0.001) viscosupplementation (OR = 3.41, p < 0.001), joint lavage (OR = 3.22, p = 0.019), salivary gland biopsy (OR = 2.16, p = 0.034) and over 6‐month training (OR: 2.16, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Performing more complex invasive procedures and over 6‐month training in IR were variables associated with enhanced interventional profile.