Tray..again

[pmrdec112014]

Could somebody explain exactly who the Bristol group are and also whether if all that live in Bristol with pmr follow the same protocols of "Bristol Group" treatment? Many Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The Bristol group" is the short way we often use to refer to the rheumatology department at the Bristol UK hospitals. A couple of years ago two members of that group (V Quick and J Kirwan) wrote a review article called "Our approach to the diagnosis and management of polymyalgia rheumatic and giant cell (temporal) arteritis" in which they outlined ways of identifying patients with PMR and how to care for them. The paper was aimed at GPs, who should be able to manage PMR without recourse to specialists, saving both patient and hospital time and effort. Since then both have moved on, Kirwan has retired. The paper is available as open access online, is fairly easy to read and is something that should be brought to the attention of as many GPs as possible.

I imagine patients who attend the hospital may well be put onto their reduction plan - whether locals who are simply cared for by their GP are is another matter. The paper was presented at the Edinburgh meeting of GPS - it all depends who heard the paper/read the publication as to which GPs use it.

What is certain is that it is better than many of the somewhat random reduction approaches found amongst both rheumies and GPs and that is why several of us "preach the gospel".

[pmrdec112014 in reply to PMRpro]

Great, thank you! That will aid my knowledge when I next consult with my GP.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pmrdec112014]

Have you got the reference for the paper? Google the title or follow this link

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

[pmrdec112014 in reply to PMRpro]

Have just downloaded it. Thank you.