Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are frequently afflicted by pain, which may be caused by joint inflammation (leading to structural joint damage) or secondary osteoarthritis, and may be increased by central sensitisation. Non-inflammatory pain may also confuse the assessment of disease activity, and so the aim of treatment is not only to combat inflammatory disease, but also relieve painful symptoms. In order to ensure effective treatment stratification, it is necessary to record a patients medical history in detail, perform a physical examination, and objectively assess synovitis and joint damage. The management of pain requires various approaches that include pharmacological analgesia and biological and non-biological treatments. Although joint replacement surgery can significantly improve RA-related pain, it may only be available to patients with the most severe advanced disease.

Pain in rheumatoid arthritis : a critical review / P. Sarzi-Puttini, F. Salaffi, M. Di Franco, L. Bazzichi, G. Cassisi, R. Casale, M. Cazzola, S. Stisi, M. Battellino, F. Atzeni. - In: REUMATISMO. - ISSN 0048-7449. - 66:1(2014 Jun), pp. 18-27. [10.4081/reumatismo.2014.760]

Pain in rheumatoid arthritis : a critical review

P. Sarzi-Puttini
;
M. Battellino;F. Atzeni
2014

Abstract

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are frequently afflicted by pain, which may be caused by joint inflammation (leading to structural joint damage) or secondary osteoarthritis, and may be increased by central sensitisation. Non-inflammatory pain may also confuse the assessment of disease activity, and so the aim of treatment is not only to combat inflammatory disease, but also relieve painful symptoms. In order to ensure effective treatment stratification, it is necessary to record a patients medical history in detail, perform a physical examination, and objectively assess synovitis and joint damage. The management of pain requires various approaches that include pharmacological analgesia and biological and non-biological treatments. Although joint replacement surgery can significantly improve RA-related pain, it may only be available to patients with the most severe advanced disease.
Analgesics; Central sensitization; Pain; Rheumatoid arthritis; Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antirheumatic Agents; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Central Nervous System Sensitization; Chronic Pain; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Exercise Therapy; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Inflammation; Musculoskeletal Pain; Neurotransmitter Agents; Osteoarthritis; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Pain Perception; Pain Threshold; Rheumatology
Settore MED/16 - Reumatologia
giu-2014
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/643196
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