Impact on patient outcomes of spondyloarthritis-inflammatory bowel disease multi-disciplinary meetings.

Objectives: To assess the impact on patient outcomes of the spondyloarthritis (SpA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings in a large university hospital.

Methods: A single-centre retrospective observational case-note review was conducted assessing the outcome of all 226 cases discussed at the SpA-IBD MDT meetings in a large UK university hospital between 2017-2022.

Results: A total of 226 patients were discussed. It was deemed that 97% of MDT meetings helped to improve communication between teams, and 100% were educational. A total of 57% of discussions led to an instant change of disease management, while 40% of discussions resulted in a treatment plan that avoided the use of dual advanced therapy. This improved patient safety by reducing immunosuppression. The MDT meetings were highly cost and time efficient; 125 referrals between specialists were avoided, and in 51 cases there was a significant chance of reducing future drug costs. A timely investigation or appointment was arranged following 50% of MDT discussions, helping to clarify the diagnosis and optimise patient care. 9% of meetings enabled drugs to be prescribed to patients that are not yet licenced for the other speciality, thereby improving treatment options available in the management of complex cases.

Conclusion: The MDT meetings have been beneficial for patients, the clinical team and the institution. This approach might be considered by other rheumatology and gastroenterology departments.