A multi-center phase 3 trial involving 139 adults with active rheumatoid arthritis revealed that patients exhibiting high brain pain activation on functional MRI prior to treatment had better outcomes with the TNF inhibitor certolizumab pegol. After 12 weeks, 57% of high-activation patients achieved low disease activity compared to 44% in the low-activation group. The treatment significantly reduced pain-related brain activation, emphasizing the connection between subjective patient parameters and treatment responses. Adverse events were reported but did not indicate new safety concerns.

Source: The Lancet Rheumatology