Central pain sensitivity is associated with changes in fatigue in RA: data from the CAP-RA study
Authors' conclusion
Self-reported central pain sensitivity (M-CAP) is a strong driver of fatigue over and above inflammation and pain intensity.
Study context
- Population
- Participants with RA under usual care (CAP-RA study)114 at 3 months
- Participants
- 194 participants
- Outcome
- Fatigue (BRAF-MDQ) and its association with central pain sensitivity (M-CAP)
Methodological detailslongitudinal, multivariable linear regression
- Longitudinal
- Multivariable linear regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Baseline M-CAP vs fatigue at baseline, rho (P ≤ 0.001)
- 0.77
- Pain severity vs fatigue at baseline, rho (P ≤ 0.001)
- 0.53
- Baseline M-CAP vs fatigue at 3 months, rho (P ≤ 0.001)
- 0.72
- Pain severity vs fatigue at 3 months, rho (P ≤ 0.001)
- 0.47
- Single regression model, baseline fatigue: M-CAP β (P < 0.001)
- 0.65
- Single regression model, baseline fatigue: pain β (P < 0.001)
- 0.21
- Single regression model R2 (P < 0.001)
- 0.62
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Longitudinal change in M-CAP and fatigue · 3 months
- Decrease in M-CAP significantly associated with reduction in fatigue
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) indices and markers of inflammation
- Not consistently associated with fatigue
Original publication
Central pain sensitivity is associated with changes in fatigue in RA: data from the CAP-RA study. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 21 March 2026. doi:10.
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