Longitudinal Trajectories of Pain Sensitization Over Nine Years in People With or at Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors' conclusion
We identified stable but distinct pain sensitization trajectories over nine years despite likely changes in disease course and treatments over time, suggesting that individuals with knee OA may be predisposed to having different degrees of sensitization as an inherent trait, which in turn likely influences their pain experience and functional status.
Study context
- Population
- People with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA), Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (mean age 65 years, 61% female, mean BMI 31 kg/m²)
- Participants
- 1,271 people4 study visits
- Exposure
- Wrist and knee PPT trajectory groups: moderate and high PPT vs low PPT
- Outcome
- Pain sensitization trajectories (wrist and knee PPTs) and their relation to WOMAC knee pain and function at the final visit
- Follow-up
- Nine years
Methodological detailsgroup-based trajectory modelling stratified by sex, linear regression
- Group-based trajectory modelling stratified by sex
- Linear regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PPT trajectories
- Three distinct trajectory groups (low, moderate, high pressure pain thresholds (PPTs)) in both women and men
- PPT trajectories changed minimally over time in each group
- Moderate and high PPT groups had better WOMAC pain and function at final assessment vs low PPT groups
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Longitudinal Trajectories of Pain Sensitization Over Nine Years in People With or at Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 21 September 2025. doi:10.
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