[CLINICAL ENTITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES].

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pain Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Musculoskeletal pain is a primary symptom in over 150 rheumatic diseases.
• Rheumatic diseases lack a unified classification, encompassing inflammatory, degenerative, connective tissue, and metabolic disorders.
• Pain, as defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), involves physical, mental, and social components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal pain in rheumatic diseases.
• To emphasize the chronic nature of pain in rheumatic conditions and its definition.
• To underscore the public health significance of chronic musculoskeletal pain and the need for a biopsychosocial treatment approach.

Main Methods:

• Review of rheumatic disease classifications and pain definitions.
• Analysis of pain characteristics in rheumatic diseases, distinguishing between nociceptive and neuropathic pain.
• Examination of the chronic pain syndrome as a distinct clinical entity.

Main Results:

• Musculoskeletal pain is a universal symptom across diverse rheumatic diseases.
• Chronic pain, defined as lasting over 3-6 months, is predominant in rheumatic conditions.
• The majority of pain in rheumatic diseases is nociceptive rather than neuropathic.

Conclusions:

• Chronic musculoskeletal pain in rheumatic diseases is a significant global health issue.
• Impaired musculoskeletal function and chronic pain syndrome necessitate a biopsychosocial treatment strategy.
• Understanding the multifaceted nature of pain is crucial for effective rheumatic disease management.