Radiographic damage in early rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increased disability but not with pain—a 5-year follow-up study
Authors' conclusion
Joint damage was associated with disability already in early RA. Erosions of hands and feet appear to have a greater influence on disability compared with joint space narrowing early in the disease. Pain was associated with other factors than joint destruction in early RA, in particular joint tenderness-suggesting an impact of pain sensitization.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recruited in 1995–2005inception cohort
- Participants
- 233 patients
- Outcome
- Association of radiographic damage (SHS, JSNS, ES) and other clinical and laboratory measures with disability (HAQ) and pain (visual analogue scale (VAS) 0-100 mm)
- Follow-up
- 5 years
Methodological detailsinception cohort, 5-year follow-up, multivariate linear regression, generalized estimating equations
- Inception cohort
- 5-year follow-up
- Multivariate linear regression
- Generalized estimating equations
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Erosion score (ES) significantly associated with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) cross-sectionally at inclusion, after 2 and after 5 years, and over time
- Associations of HAQ with SHS and joint space narrowing score (JSNS) weaker and less consistent than those with ES
- No association between radiographic scores and pain at any visit
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Strongest cross-sectional associations for number of tender joints
- adjusted p<0.001 at all visits
- Both HAQ and pain associated with parameters of disease activity
Original publication
Radiographic damage in early rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increased disability but not with pain—a 5-year follow-up study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 27 February 2023. doi:10.
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