Title:Central Sensitization in Spondyloarthritis: The Crossroads between
Disease Activity, Health-related Quality of Life and Fibromyalgia
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Author(s): Ben Tekaya Aicha, Cherif Ines*, Saidane Olfa, Bouden Selma, Rouached Leila, Tekaya Rawdha, Mahmoud Ines and Abdelmoula Leila
Affiliation:
- Rheumatology Department, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
Keywords:
Central nervous system, sensitization, spondyloarthritis, pain, quality, life, fibromyalgia.
Abstract:
Objective: To assess central sensitization in young patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA)
and to study the associated factors with higher central sensitization scores.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including patients with SpA (ASAS criteria) aged less
than 50 years. For all patients, we collected the sociodemographic and disease characteristics data.
Central sensitization was assessed using a validated tool: The Central Sensitization inventory (CSI).
Pain status, fibromyalgia, quality of life, anxiety and depression were screened by the Brief pain inventory,
the Fibromyalgia rapid screening tool (FiRST), the ASQoL, and the Hospital anxiety and
depression scale (HAD) anxiety and depression. Univariable and multivariable linear regression
analyses were performed to achieve our objective.
Results: Seventy-two patients were enrolled (65,2% males). The median age was 39 (28,25-46)
years. Median BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP scores were 3 (2.1 - 4.7) and 2.7 (1.9 - 3.48), respectively.
The median value of the CSI score was 15 (6,25-33,75); a CSI≥40 was noted in 15.3% of patients.
Depression, anxiety scores, fibromyalgia and impaired QoL were screened in 11%, 9,7%,
9,7%, and 44,4%, respectively. CSI≥40 was positively correlated with ASQoL, FiRST, HAD anxiety,
HAD depression and the 5 categories of pain interference (mood, regular work, relationships,
sleep and enjoyment of life). Multivariate analysis identified a predictive model which included the
combination of FiRST, BASDAI and ASQoL. First was the strongest predictive factor of a higher
central sensitization.
Conclusion: CS is frequent among SpA patients and should be looked for in order to improve QoL.
