Relationship of Metacognitions with Pain Catastrophising, Disability and Pain Intensity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is evident research on the role of metacognitions in patients with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle dystrophy and certain psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, OCD, PTSD and GAD. Systematic reviews have revealed a strong relationship between metacognitions, pain catastrophising and severity of pain in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, emphasising its consideration in preliminary assessments. However, there is no known evidence of studies on the relationship of metacognitions with pain catastrophising, disability and pain intensity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also not known if duration of disease, geographical factors and medication consumption play a role and thus need to be studied further. Thus, the specific influences of metacognitions on pain catastrophising, disability and pain intensity in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis need to be studied. There is also no evident study that has been conducted on the Indian population, which needs to be considered as different cultural attitudes play a role towards pain, illness and rehabilitation.