Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tuberculosis Screening
Percentage of patients 18 years and older with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis who have documentation of a tuberculosis (TB) screening performed within 12 months prior to receiving a first course of therapy using a biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD).
Measure Info
ACP supports NQF 2522 for physicians managing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): “Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tuberculosis Screening.” Biologic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic (DMARD) therapy can reactivate latent tuberculosis, leading to significant morbidity and even mortality. Administrative data suggests that over 1 in 4 individuals with RA receive biologic DMARDs. Over 1.3 million individuals in the United States have RA; therefore this measure is expected to impact over 300,000 Americans with RA. This is a physician level measure and should only be applicable to physicians who are managing and providing medical therapy for RA. Most often this will apply to rheumatologists, but primary care physicians may also manage RA.