A Cross-Sectional Survey of Physicians’ Knowledge and Awareness of Chronic Pain Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rheumatology Departments in Zhejiang Province, China

Figures & data

Table 1 Cognition of Chronic Pain Associated with RA of Rheumatologists

	Tertiary Hospital N = 98	Secondary Hospital N = 52	Total N=150	P
Know about chronic pain associated with RA, n (%)	90 (91.8%)	49 (94.2%)	139 (92.7%)	0.838
Chronic pain associated RA is important, n (%)	96 (98%)	51 (98.1%)	147 (98%)	0.573
Chronic pain associated RA can be controlled, n (%)	98 (100%)	52 (100%)	150 (100%)	–
Your pain management is backward, n (%)	3 (3.1%)	2 (3.8%)	5 (3.3%)	0.824
Pain associated with RA is relieved timely, n (%)	76 (77.6%)	32 (61.5%)	108 (72%)	0.059
Chronic pain associated RA is refractory, n (%)	33 (33.7%)	16 (32.7%)	50 (33.3%)	0.852
Chronic pain of RA patients had been complete controlled, n (%)	57 (58.2%)	31 (59.6%)	88 (58.7%)	0.998

Figure 1 Assessment of chronic pain associated with RA.

Figure 2 Pain assessment frequencies in Rheumatology department of Zhejiang province.

Table 2 Pain Management Rules and Regulations Systems

	Total N = 150	Tertiary Hospital N = 98	Secondary Hospital N = 52	P
Pain management rules and regulations in hospitals, n (%)	124 (82.7%)	81 (82.7%)	43 (82.7%)	0.825
Pain management rules and regulations in Rheumatology departments, n (%)	39 (26%)	30 (30.6%)	9 (17.3%)	0.116
Pain department, n (%)	82 (54.7%)	65 (66.3%)	17 (32.7%)	0.005
Pain monitor system, n (%)	29 (19.3%)	21 (21.4%)	13 (25%)	0.449
Pain education, n (%)	30 (20%)	19 (19.4%)	11 (21.1%)	0.946
Pain multidisciplinary management groups, n (%)	34 (22.7%)	21 (21.4%)	13 (25%)	0.770

Table 3 Preferred Management of Rheumatologists of RA Patients with Different Times of Complaint

Management	First Complaint of Pain N = 150	Secondary Complaint of Pain N = 150	Multiple Complaint of Pain N=150	P
NSAIDs, n (%)	72 (48%)	26 (17.3%)	23 (15.3%)	<0.001
Adjust DMARDs, n (%)	40 (26.7%)	38 (25.3%)	35 (23.3%)	0.798
Glucocorticoid, n (%)	11 (7.3%)	39 (26%)	55 (36.7%)	<0.001
Opioid analgesics, n (%)	0	8 (5.3%)	9 (6%)	0.012
Anticonvulsant/depressant, n (%)	3 (2%)	10 (6.7%)	15 (10%)	0.016
Muscle relaxant, n (%)	0	2 (1.3%)	0	0.134
Physiotherapy, n (%)	6 (4%)	12 (8%)	8 (5.3%)	0.319
Psychotherapy, n (%)	0	3 (2%)	1 (0.7%)	0.171
Chinese medicine, n (%)	7 (4.7%)	10 (6.7%)	4 (2.7%)	0.259
Observation, n (%)	11 (7.3%)	2 (1.3%)	0	<0.001

Table 4 Preferred Management of Rheumatologists of RA Patients with Different Pain Degree

Management	Mild Pain N=150	Moderate Pain N=150	Severe Pain N=150	P
NSAIDs, n (%)	111 (74.0%)	26 (17.3%)	21 (14.0%)	<0.001
Adjust DMARDs, n (%)	21 (14.0%)	53 (35.3%)	35 (23.3%)	<0.001
Glucocorticoid, n (%)	3 (2.0%)	51 (34.0%)	69 (46.0%)	<0.001
Opioid painkiller, n (%)	1 (0.6%)	17 (11.3%)	24 (16.0%)	<0.001
Anticonvulsant/depressant, n (%)	1 (0.6%)	0	0	–
Muscle relaxant, n (%)	2 (1.3%)	0	0	–
Physiotherapy, n (%)	3 (2.0%)	2 (1.3%)	1 (0.6%)	0.602
Psychotherapy, n (%)	0	0	0	–
Chinese medicine, n (%)	3 (2.0%)	2 (1.3%)	0	0.775
Observation, n (%)	4 (2.7%)	0	0	–

Abbreviations: NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; DMARDs, disease modified anti-rheumatic drugs.