Chronic Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The objective is to identify modifiable clinical factors and neurobiological pathways that lead to the development of chronic pain in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Participants will undergo quantitative sensory testing, a type of testing that involves assessing response to well-defined, quantifiable painful stimuli, at 0, 3, and 12 months. A subset of participants will also undergo magnetic resonance imaging at 0 and 12 months to assess neuroimaging markers that have previously been shown to be involved in chronic pain.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis Autoimmune Diseases Connective Tissue Diseases Immune System Diseases Joint Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Rheumatic Diseases Signs and Symptoms Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

for QST:

Age ≥18 years
Meet either the 1987 or 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for RA
Persistent joint symptoms ≤ 2 years
Active inflammatory disease
If taking opioids on an as needed (prn) basis, must be able to hold opioid for 12 hours before study procedures
If taking NSAIDs, must be able to hold NSAIDS for 24 hours before study procedures
If taking a central-acting pain medication, must be on a stable dose and able to stay on a stable dose throughout study

Exclusion criteria

for QST:

Routine, scheduled opioid use
Routine, scheduled prednisone dose >10 mg or its equivalent
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral vascular disease
Raynaud's phenomenon requiring treatment, manifested by claudication or ischemic rest pain
Uncontrolled blood pressure

Additional Inclusion Criteria for neuroimaging:

Age ≤ 80 years old
Right-handed or ambidextrous
Ability to lie on their back for the duration of the MRI scans

Additional Exclusion Criteria for neuroimaging:

Severe claustrophobia precluding MRI
Unable to fit comfortably in the MRI scanner (usually only occurs if body mass index >40 kg/m2)
Pregnant
Contraindications to MRI

Treatment and study plan

No intervention

Other

No intervention

Primary outcomes

Fibromyalgia Survey Criteria

Time frame: 12 months

Minimum value 0, maximum value 31; higher scores indicate worse outcomes

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northwestern University

Other

Collaborators

Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Johns Hopkins University
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
University of Colorado, Denver
University of Michigan

Registry information

Official study title

CNS Pain Mechanisms in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications for the Acute to Chronic Pain Transition

Acronym: CPIRA-2

Important dates

Study start: 2021
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Sep 9, 2021
Registry last updated: May 28, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed