Article Test

Objective: To assess the impact of central sensitisation as measured by the ‘Central Sensitivity Score’ on rheumatoid arthritis disease activity change.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving routine clinical care. At baseline, participants had assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity from a 3-variable Disease Activity Score with 28 Joint Count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, symptoms of central sensitisation (from central sensitivity score, the numerical score derived from the 2016 American College of Rheumatology Fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria), demographic and clinical variables. A follow up 3-variable Disease Activity Score with 28 Joint Count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate was collected on the next routine clinic appointment (median 3 months). The association of central sensitivity score and change in rheumatoid arthritis disease activity was assessed using a multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results: Data were obtained from 82 participants. The median baseline 3-variable Disease Activity Score with 28 Joint Count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate across the cohort was 2.44. On multivariate linear regression a higher baseline central sensitivity score independently predicted improvement in 3-variable Disease Activity Score with 28 Joint Count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (regression coefficient=-0.02, 95% CI [-0.08 to -0.01]). A higher C-Reactive Protein was also an independent predictor of improvement in 3-variable Disease Activity Score with 28 Joint Count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (regression coefficient -0.02, 95% CI [-0.04 to 0.01]). Exposure to a higher number of biologics predicted worsening in 3-variable Disease Activity Score with 28 Joint Count Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (regression coefficient=0.28, 95% CI [0.08 to 0.48]).

Conclusion: In this closely monitored cohort with relatively well controlled disease, a higher baseline central sensitivity score was predictive of a small but not clinically meaningful change in objective rheumatoid arthritis disease activity.