Assessment of pain in rheumatoid arthritis: minimal clinically significant difference, predictors, and the effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

Abstract

Anti-TNF therapy improved pain by 0.53 to 0.70 units. The MCIC for improvement and worsening of pain is about 0.5 to 1.1 units. Pain levels are almost constant over RA duration, and are increased in women, ethnic minorities, smokers, and those with less education.