Cognitive Intrusion of Pain, Autobiographical Memory Characteristics, and Aggression Across Rheumatic Diseases: A...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Psychology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Cognitive intrusion of pain, autobiographical memory, and aggression are key aspects of the pain experience.
• These constructs have not been simultaneously compared across various rheumatic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cognitive intrusion of pain, autobiographical memory, and aggression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), osteoarthritis (OA), and fibromyalgia (FM).
• To identify disease-specific predictors of these psychological constructs in rheumatic conditions.

Main Methods:

• 225 patients with RA, PsA, OA, and FM were assessed using validated questionnaires for cognitive intrusion, memory, aggression, depression, and anxiety.
• Disease activity was quantified using specific indices for each condition (DAS28-CRP, DAPSA, WOMAC, FIQ).
• Statistical analyses included ANOVA, ANCOVA, and multiple regression with FDR correction.

Main Results:

• Cognitive intrusion of pain did not differ significantly across the rheumatic disease groups after adjusting for mood.
• Physical aggression and memory rehearsal were associated with cognitive intrusion.
• Disease activity scores (DAS28-CRP in RA, FIQ in FM) independently predicted cognitive intrusion in their respective disease groups.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive pain intrusion levels were comparable across RA, PsA, OA, and FM after mood adjustment, potentially due to measurement limitations.
• Disease activity is a significant predictor of cognitive intrusion in RA and FM.
• There is a need for rheumatology-specific psychometric validation of cognitive intrusion measures.