Average time taken by a Rheumatology patient to reach a Rheumatologist in Pakistan.

Objective: To study the time taken by individuals from onset of symptoms related to rheumatic diseases to approaching a rheumatologist, and to establish the various delaying factors.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from August 1 to December 31, 2020, and comprised patients of either gender diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis or other connective tissue diseases. Demographic and clinical data, including antibody status, was recorded.