Introduction:

Ultrasound is very useful in the management of rheumatological pathology today. Despite this, in Colombia, progress towards its implementation is limited and entails great difficulties. This deficit is also related to the difficulties in training new human talent. In Colombia, there is no study that identifies the current status of ultrasound among rheumatologists in the country.

Methods:

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study where medical specialists in Rheumatology practising in Colombia were surveyed through an online form. They were asked about general aspects and for their opinion regarding ultrasound in rheumatology and, if they practiced it, they were asked about specific aspects of its application in clinical practice. Additionally, questions were asked of the rheumatologists who are part of the specialist training processes in the country. Closed multiple-choice or Likert scale assessment questions were presented as required. The main objective was to describe the current use and opinion of musculoskeletal ultrasound in Colombian rheumatologists, as well as the limitations for its implementation. Frequency measurements were performed of the categorical variables of nominal type and ordinal type. The intention was to survey all rheumatologists in the country, who according to Colombian Society of Rheumatology data for the end of 2019 totalled 186.

Results:

Taking into account the number of rheumatologists of the Colombian Association of Rheumatology (Asoreuma) for 2019 totalling 186, a participation of 139 specialists (74.7%) was obtained, of which 22 of the respondents performed ultrasound in their daily practice (15.8%) the majority in this group being trained in Colombian territory (80.6%). Of the 139 respondents, 64.7% have received some type of training in ultrasound, generally pre-congress courses (22.5%), EULAR courses (16.7%) and training included in their residency curriculum outside the rheumatology service (9.8%). The acceptance of ultrasound is high among rheumatologists practicing in Colombia, 75.5% consider it important or very important and 84.9% indicated that for a comprehensive rheumatology service it is important or very important to have ultrasound. From the responses, however, they consider that its use could change their behaviour frequently, and very frequently in less than half of the cases at 46.7%. Regarding the opinion on the use of ultrasound in specific pathologies, rheumatoid arthritis (77.7%) and crystal arthropathies (72.7%) were considered the highest and most important, as well as in the performance of procedures at 87%. For decision-making in the inflammatory pathology study, 60.4% would consider performing ultrasound compared to 28.8% who responded MRI. Regarding the limitations for implementation, the lack of training in the country (25.6%), followed by the lack of resources to procure equipment (17.9%) and ignorance and lack of interest on the part of the health entities (17.1%) were the most recognized.

Conclusion:

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is only practiced by a minority of rheumatologists practicing in Colombia, even though the majority consider it important. Its importance lies in its use to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis, crystal arthropathies and psoriatic arthropathy, as well as for the performance of procedures. More than half of the rheumatologists have received some type of training in ultrasound, usually very few hours' education and without practical or informal training, this being the main problem for its implementation.

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