The Effects of Continuity of Rheumatology Care on Emergency Department Utilization and Hospitalizations for Individuals With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: To determine if continuity of rheumatology care influences rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A closed inception cohort of patients with RA diagnosed between 2000 and 2009 were followed until December 31, 2019. During the first 5 years following diagnosis, we categorized patients into 3 rheumatology care continuity groups (high, intermediate, and not retained in rheumatology care).