Predictors of unacceptable pain with and without low inflammation over 5 years in early rheumatoid arthritis-an inception cohort study.

Over one third of the patients had unacceptable pain 5 years after inclusion. Lower swollen joint count was associated with unacceptable pain at 5 years. The results may be explained by the positive effects of treatment on pain related to inflammation. Non-inflammatory long-lasting pain appears to be a greater problem in anti-CCP-negative patients.