Investigation of Central Sensitization Frequency and Related Factors in Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients

NCT ID: NCT04485078

Last Updated: 2020-08-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 150 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2019-10-20
• Study Completion Date: 2020-04-18

Brief Summary

The term axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) describes a group of chronic inflammatory diseases that characterized with spinal involvement. AxSpA is one of the most common rheumatic diseases and chronic pain and morning stiffness are the main complaints of these patients. Central sensitization is defined as increased response to normal or sub-threshold stimuli of central nervous system and its close relationship with many rheumatological diseases has been demonstrated in several studies. Pain in axSpA patients is generally considered as a result of increased inflammatory burden and structural changes, However, failure to adequate analgesia in every patient whose inflammation is suppressed with anti-inflammatory treatment suggests new pain mechanisms. Central sensitization (CS) is one of these mechanisms and its recognition is only possible by detailed evaluation of the patient. There is no method for the diagnosis of central sensitization is accepted as a gold standard. clinical scales and quantitative sensory testing (QST) widely is used for this purpose widely. The most commonly used QST types include pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). The well-known scale used for the evaluation of central sensitization is the Central Sensitization Inventory , developed by Mayer et.al in 2011 for detect central sensitization in chronic pain patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of central sensitization (CS) in patients with axSpA by means of clinical scales and quantitative sensory testing (QST), to examine related comorbidities and the parameters associated with the development of sensitization in these patients.

Detailed Description

The term axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) describes a group of chronic inflammatory diseases that characterized with spinal involvement. AxSpA is one of the most common rheumatic diseases and chronic pain and morning stiffness are the main complaints of these patients. Central sensitization (CS) is defined as increased response to normal or sub-threshold stimuli of central nervous system and its close relationship with many rheumatological diseases has been demonstrated in several studies. However, data associated with central sensitization in axSpA patients is very limited. The quantitative sensory testing (QST) is commonly used for detection hyperalgesia and allodynia those are accepted main findings in sensitized patients. The most commonly used QST types include pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM).Pressure pain threshold measurement is frequently used to show local / generalized sensitivity increase in patients who develop pain sensitization. For this purpose, the pain response of superficial or deep tissue can be evaluated through mechanical device called algometer. The algometer probe was placed vertically in the each selected point and pressure was increased until the participant reporting pressure became painful. The first pressure value at which pain is felt is considered the PPT of that point. TS is defined as a progressive increase in pain response with repetitive painful stimuli. This condition is also known as wind-up phenomenon and play a role to development CS. CPM, known as one of the main mechanisms of endogenous analgesia, is based on the principle that pain perception can be reduced with painful stimulus applied to different areas according to the "pain inhibits pain" model. In the CPM testing, it is aimed to investigate the modulator effect of two different painful stimuli on each other. The diagnosis of CS can be made with QST or with Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of central sensitization (CS) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) by means of clinical scales and quantitative sensory testing (QST), to examine related comorbidities and the parameters associated with the development of sensitization in these patients. The patients with AxSpa and healthy controls will be included in this study. QST which consists of pressure pain threshold (PPT), temporal summation (TS) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) will be applied to the patient and control groups. Disease activity (BASDAI), functional status (ASQoL, ILBPDI), sleep quality (PSQI), pain (VAS pain), depression (BDI) and fatigue (FSS) will be assessed. Fibromyalgia (FIRST) and other comorbidities will be investigated. Patients will be divided as the ones with and without CS according to the central sensitization inventory (CSI) and the results will be compared. After data collection, analysis will be performed with the appropriate statistical method

Conditions

Axial Spondyloarthritis; Central Sensitisation

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Axial spondyloarthritis patients

QST with clinical scales

Pressure pain threshold

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The PPT assessments of spine will be performed over the spinous process and 2 cm right and left side of the corresponding spinous process. The regional PPT scores will be composed from sum of all PPT values for related segments at spine. The sacroiliac PPT scores will be obtained bilaterally from four measurement points; the first point is located 1 cm medially and caudally from spina iliaca posterior superior (SIPS) and 3 more laterally, medially and cranially.The left trapezius muscle will be used to evaluate distant control point .The 1 cm2 algometer probe will be placed vertically in the each selected point and pressure will be increased with 0.1 kg/sc until the participant reporting pressure became painful. The pressure value at which the pain is first felt will be accepted as the PPT of that point.

Temporal summation

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

TS will be evaluated over the trapezius muscle, sacroiliac joints, C7, T6, and L3 levels at spine with manuel algometer. TS scores will be calculated for each spine level as the sum of three values which measured over the spinous process and 2 cm right and left side of corresponding level. In the evaluation of TS, a pressure as much the PPT value of each point will be applied with pain pressure algometer ten times with a 1-second interstimulus interval. Patients will be asked to rate their pain using on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) at 0, 5, and 10 seconds. TS will be calculated by subtracting the rating at 0 seconds from the rating at 10 seconds. The point that is located 1 cm medially and caudally from SIPS was used for SI joint TS measurement on both sides.

Conditioned pain modulation

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

First stimulus will be applied to trapezius with the pressure that induced a pain intensity of 4 point on a 10 point VAS as called a test stimulus. After that the right hand of the patient will be immersed in 70C water for 20 seconds to create a conditioning stimulus. Second test stimulus with the same intensity of first one will be applied to trapezius after the conditioning stimulus and patients will be asked to rate their pain. If the patients cannot hold their hand in the water for 20 seconds, the test stimulus will be applied immediately after the patients removed their hands out of water. The ratio between the first and second VAS values multiplied by 100 will be defined as CPM score

Central Sensitization Inventory

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Standardized questionnaire to determine the level of central sensitization

Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standardized questionnaire to determine the level of disease activity in AxSpa patients

Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the quality of life in AxSpa patients

Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the disability

Beck Depression Inventory

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the depression

Fatigue Severity Scale

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the fatigue

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the sleep quality and disturbance

Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standardized questionnaire to detect fibromyalgia

Visual analogue scale

Intervention Type: OTHER

global pain score on a 0 to 10

Healthy controls

QST

Pressure pain threshold

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The PPT assessments of spine will be performed over the spinous process and 2 cm right and left side of the corresponding spinous process. The regional PPT scores will be composed from sum of all PPT values for related segments at spine. The sacroiliac PPT scores will be obtained bilaterally from four measurement points; the first point is located 1 cm medially and caudally from spina iliaca posterior superior (SIPS) and 3 more laterally, medially and cranially.The left trapezius muscle will be used to evaluate distant control point .The 1 cm2 algometer probe will be placed vertically in the each selected point and pressure will be increased with 0.1 kg/sc until the participant reporting pressure became painful. The pressure value at which the pain is first felt will be accepted as the PPT of that point.

Temporal summation

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

TS will be evaluated over the trapezius muscle, sacroiliac joints, C7, T6, and L3 levels at spine with manuel algometer. TS scores will be calculated for each spine level as the sum of three values which measured over the spinous process and 2 cm right and left side of corresponding level. In the evaluation of TS, a pressure as much the PPT value of each point will be applied with pain pressure algometer ten times with a 1-second interstimulus interval. Patients will be asked to rate their pain using on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) at 0, 5, and 10 seconds. TS will be calculated by subtracting the rating at 0 seconds from the rating at 10 seconds. The point that is located 1 cm medially and caudally from SIPS was used for SI joint TS measurement on both sides.

Interventions

Pressure pain threshold

The PPT assessments of spine will be performed over the spinous process and 2 cm right and left side of the corresponding spinous process. The regional PPT scores will be composed from sum of all PPT values for related segments at spine. The sacroiliac PPT scores will be obtained bilaterally from four measurement points; the first point is located 1 cm medially and caudally from spina iliaca posterior superior (SIPS) and 3 more laterally, medially and cranially.The left trapezius muscle will be used to evaluate distant control point .The 1 cm2 algometer probe will be placed vertically in the each selected point and pressure will be increased with 0.1 kg/sc until the participant reporting pressure became painful. The pressure value at which the pain is first felt will be accepted as the PPT of that point.

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Temporal summation

TS will be evaluated over the trapezius muscle, sacroiliac joints, C7, T6, and L3 levels at spine with manuel algometer. TS scores will be calculated for each spine level as the sum of three values which measured over the spinous process and 2 cm right and left side of corresponding level. In the evaluation of TS, a pressure as much the PPT value of each point will be applied with pain pressure algometer ten times with a 1-second interstimulus interval. Patients will be asked to rate their pain using on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) at 0, 5, and 10 seconds. TS will be calculated by subtracting the rating at 0 seconds from the rating at 10 seconds. The point that is located 1 cm medially and caudally from SIPS was used for SI joint TS measurement on both sides.

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Conditioned pain modulation

First stimulus will be applied to trapezius with the pressure that induced a pain intensity of 4 point on a 10 point VAS as called a test stimulus. After that the right hand of the patient will be immersed in 70C water for 20 seconds to create a conditioning stimulus. Second test stimulus with the same intensity of first one will be applied to trapezius after the conditioning stimulus and patients will be asked to rate their pain. If the patients cannot hold their hand in the water for 20 seconds, the test stimulus will be applied immediately after the patients removed their hands out of water. The ratio between the first and second VAS values multiplied by 100 will be defined as CPM score

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Central Sensitization Inventory

Standardized questionnaire to determine the level of central sensitization

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index

Standardized questionnaire to determine the level of disease activity in AxSpa patients

Intervention Type: OTHER

Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the quality of life in AxSpa patients

Intervention Type: OTHER

Istanbul Low Back Pain Disability Index

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the disability

Intervention Type: OTHER

Beck Depression Inventory

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the depression

Intervention Type: OTHER

Fatigue Severity Scale

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the fatigue

Intervention Type: OTHER

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Standardized questionnaire to investigate the sleep quality and disturbance

Intervention Type: OTHER

Fibromyalgia Rapid Screening Tool

Standardized questionnaire to detect fibromyalgia

Intervention Type: OTHER

Visual analogue scale

global pain score on a 0 to 10

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

PPT; TS; CPM; CSI; BASDAI; ASQoL; ILPBDI; BDI; FSS; PSQI; FIRST; VAS

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Diagnosed with axSpA according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria Aged between 18-65 years

Exclusion Criteria

Had an other rheumatic diseases, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy and spine disease (e.g., symptomatic herniated disc, spinal stenosis), Using centrally acting pain medications (e.g., pregabaline, duloxetine, opioids) or glucocorticoids (>10 mg prednisone or its equivalent) within 3 months of study enrollment

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Marmara University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Mehmet T DURUOZ, Professor

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Marmara University

Locations

Feyza Nur YUCEL

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Reference Type: RESULT

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Middlebrook N, Heneghan NR, Evans DW, Rushton A, Falla D. Reliability of temporal summation, thermal and pressure pain thresholds in a healthy cohort and musculoskeletal trauma population. PLoS One. 2020 May 29;15(5):e0233521. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233521. eCollection 2020.

Reference Type: RESULT

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Related Links

https://www.iasp-pain.org/Education/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=1698#Centralsensitization

IASP terminology

Other Identifiers

09.2019.695

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id