1. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis experienced reduced pain sensitivity after 12 weeks of treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
2. Statistically significant increases in pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were observed at various anatomical sites, indicating reduced pain sensitivity.
3. The study included 182 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, and disease activity decreased significantly after 12 weeks.
4. Reductions in inflammation were associated with improvements in peripheral pain sensitivity, but limited short-term impact on central pain mechanisms was observed.
5. Additional strategies may be necessary to address persistent central pain mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis.

Source: Arthritis & Rheumatology