Table 1 Comparison of rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls on pain and questionnaire responses
From: Enhanced reactivity to pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
| Â | RA patients (n = 19) | Controls (n = 21) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
Responses to noxious stimuli | |||
   HPTh, °C | 41.4 ± 5.1 | 44.4 ± 4.5 | 0.05 |
   PPTh on leg, kPa | 665.5 ± 287.7 | 811.3 ± 400.1 | 0.19 |
   PPTh on thumb, kPa | 295.7 ± 141.6 | 395.7 ± 150.7 | 0.03 |
   PPTh on trapezius, kPa | 404.5 ± 160.7 | 536.2 ± 276.9 | 0.08 |
   Cold pain rating (0 to 100) at midpoint | 82.3 ± 12.6 | 65.4 ± 25.6 | 0.01 |
   Cold pain rating (0 to 100) at conclusion | 83.0 ± 12.4 | 67.7 ± 24.8 | 0.02 |
   Cold pain tolerance, seconds | 61.8 ± 54.1 | 111.8 ± 63.8 | 0.01 |
   Heat pain rating at 49°C | 74.4 ± 25.1 | 57.7 ± 34.7 | 0.09 |
   Heat pain rating at 51°C | 86.8 ± 16.2 | 68.2 ± 32.4 | 0.03 |
   Painful heat after-sensations | 16.8 ± 23.2 | 5.7 ± 9.4 | 0.05 |
Questionnaire data | |||
   Current pain (0 to 10) | 3.2 ± 2.3 | 0.4 ± 0.3 | < 0.001 |
   Current stress (0 to 10) | 2.2 ± 2.4 | 1.2 ± 1.9 | 0.17 |
   Beck Depression Inventory score | 7.0 ± 6.3 | 2.5 ± 3.0 | 0.01 |
   SF-36, subscale score |  |  |  |
General health | 52.9 ± 20.3 | 84.0 ± 19.4 | < 0.001 |
Physical functioning | 42.1 ± 24.2 | 69.1 ± 26.7 | 0.002 |
Physical role | 28.9 ± 31.5 | 86.9 ± 28.1 | < 0.001 |
Bodily pain | 44.2 ± 21.3 | 85.7 ± 23.7 | < 0.001 |
Energy/fatigue | 53.4 ± 18.4 | 67.6 ± 18.1 | 0.02 |
Mental health | 80.7 ± 13.7 | 81.0 ± 14.5 | 0.95 |
Emotional role | 84.2 ± 34.0 | 93.7 ± 22.7 | 0.30 |
Social functioning | 70.4 ± 27.7 | 94.6 ± 7.5 | 0.001 |