Key clinical point: The burden of inflammation-independent persistent refractory pain was substantially high in bio-naive patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who received anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.
Major finding: At 12 months of anti-TNF therapy, 39% of patients reported unacceptable pain, the majority (63%) of which was non-inflammatory refractory pain. Higher pain intensity, higher disease activity, and worse health-related quality of life were associated with a higher risk for refractory pain at 12 months (all P < .05) whereas more swollen joints were associated with a lower risk for the same ( P = .03).
Study details: This study included 351 bio-naive patients with PsA from the South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group register who initiated anti-TNF therapy.
Disclosures: This study was funded by grants from Greta och Johan Kocks stiftelser, ALF Region Skåne, and others. Two authors declared receiving research support from or performing consultation tasks for various sources. The other authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Roseman C et al. Persistent pain and its predictors after starting anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in psoriatic arthritis: What is the role of inflammation control? Scand J Rheumatol. 2023 (Nov 30). doi: 10.1080/03009742.2023.2258644