To assess RAPID3 in various rheumatologic conditions, and the impact of pain catastrophising on RAPID3.
A set of questionnaires, including RAPID3 (0-30) and pain catastrophising score (0-52), was given to all outpatients seen in a one-month period: 518 patients fulfilled the questionnaires, including 127 RA (42% taking biologics), and 135 SpA (58% taking biologics).
Mean pain catastrophising was 18.5±12.5, and 19% of patients could be classified as catastrophisers (>30). Higher RAPID3 scores were observed in the 33 osteoarthritis of lower limbs (16.44±5.20), 10 fibromyalgia (15.52±5.53), 47 back-pain (14.88±5.17), 17 osteoarthritis of upper limbs (13.61±7.42), and 38 tendinopathies (12.85±4.38). Lower RAPID3 were observed in the 135 SpA (12.79±6.03), 127 RA (12.18±6.30), 27 miscellaneous disorders (9.83±6.28), 7 entrapment neuropathies (9.81±4.51), 19 systemic connective tissue disorders (8.26±7.04) and 58 osteoporosis (7.85±6.95). Much higher RAPID3 scores were observed in the 19% with high pain catastrophising scores, whatever the conditions, and lower scores in the 15% with disablement benefits. RAPID3 was not associated with age or disease duration, but strongly correlated with daily fatigue, poor sleep, and length of daily pain.
Thanks to progress made in RA and SpA treatment, higher RAPID3 scores were mostly observed in other rheumatic conditions, but co-morbidities and pain catastrophising might contribute to floor effects when assessing rheumatic disorders with RAPID3, hindering the recognition of low disease activity in some RA of SpA patients.