Associations Between Changes in Pain Sensitization and Disease Activity Following Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy in Established Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors' conclusion
Pain sensitivity improved after 12 weeks of DMARD therapy. These improvements were associated with reductions in disease activity.
Study context
- Population
- Participants with active established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initiating/switching disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy
- Participants
- 182 participants
- Outcome
- Mean changes in QST measures (PPTs at multiple anatomic sites, TS at wrist and forearm, CPM) from baseline to 12 weeks, and associations with disease activity (DAS28-CRP and its components)
- Follow-up
- 12 weeks
Methodological details12-week observation, quantitative sensory testing, Pearson correlation, adjusted linear regression
- 12-week observation
- Quantitative sensory testing
- Pearson correlation
- Adjusted linear regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Change in pain sensitization (QST) after 12 weeks of DMARD therapy
- Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) significantly increased (improved) at multiple anatomic sites
- No significant changes in temporal summation (TS) or conditioned pain modulation (CPM)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Associations between quantitative sensory testing (QST) changes and disease activity · 12 weeks
- Increased PPTs at multiple sites associated with reductions in DAS28-CRP, swollen joint count, tender joint count, and improvements in patient global assessment
- No significant associations between TS, CPM and disease activity
Original publication
Associations Between Changes in Pain Sensitization and Disease Activity Following Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Therapy in Established Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 31 July 2025. doi:10.
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