Finalist
DUET: Harnessing the Power of Collaboration from Concept to Completion - Improving Patient Care in Spondyloarthritis
with support from Lucid
Summary of work
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) affects the spine and spine-to-pelvis joints, causing progressive pain, stiffness, joint fusion and lack of mobility. Early symptoms are often left unreported, meaning years of diagnostic delay and irreversible joint damage. Up to 40% of axSpA patients also develop acute anterior uveitis (AAU), for which they actively seek medical care. This presents a unique opportunity to support collaboration between ophthalmologists and rheumatologists to drive prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of axSpA by supporting effective referral and co-management of patients across disciplines.
The Dublin Uveitis Evaluation Tool (DUET) is an evidence-based referral algorithm for use by ophthalmologists to identify patients with suspected axSpA who should be referred to rheumatology. A global implementation programme was designed to support its clinical use and the collaborative management of patients with axSpA and AAU to improve patient outcomes. Co-created with affiliates and across specialties, it is comprised of flexible, multichannel tactics and strategic guidance that enables countries to tailor practical solutions to overcome barriers to uptake. In its first year, DUET is already being implemented in 42 countries driving earlier referral on long-term collaborative care of axSpA and AAU between ophthalmology and rheumatology on a global scale.
Judges’ comments
The DUET project exhibited strong performance across all criteria. There was clear evidence of quality and adherence, and identification of the science behind the work. AbbVie and Lucid were also able to clearly demonstrate improved health outcomes.
