Table 3

QST distributions of 201 patients with axSpA stratified for CSI score

All patients (n=201)CSI<40 (n=117)CSI≥40 (n=81)
PPT
ThenarLeft33.3±16.6 (29.8)37.2±18.2 (33.7)27.7±12.3 (23.5)*
Right36.4±18.3 (32.6)40.7±19.1 (38.8)30.3±15.4 (26.8)*
m. trapeziusLeft35.3±20.9 (30.0)38.6±20.0 (34.0)30.4±21.4 (24.5)
Right34.8±19.8 (31.5)38.2±20.0 (34.4)30.1±18.7 (26.0)*
m. rectus femorisLeft49.7±25.2 (46.0)54.6±26.1 (49.1)42.3±21.8 (36.8)*
Right47.3±26.1 42.0)53.2±26.6 (47.2)38.6±23.1 (32.0)*
m. abductor hallucisLeft33.6±17.3 (31.2)36.4±18.6 (33.8)29.3±14.1 (28.0)*
Right35.1±18.8 (31.2)38.3±19.7 (34.5)30.0±16.2 (27.5)*
Reference area†33.7±20.5 (28.5)37.7±21.7 (31.7)27.8±17.4 (23.0)*
Most painful area32.4±20.8 (26.5)36.9±21.9 (31.4)25.7±17.2 (21.0)*
TS
Non-dominant forearm1.0±1.1 (0.7)0.8±1.0 (0.5)1.2±1.3 (0.8)
Reference area†1.2±1.3 (0.8)1.0±1.2 (0.6)1.5±1.3 (1.3)†
Most painful area1.4±1.5 (0.9)1.1±1.3 (0.7)1.8±1.6 (1.4)†
CPM
Non-dominant m. rectus femoris−1.9±12.0 (12.0)−2.7±13.1 (2.6)−0.3±9.7 (1.3)
(−1%)(−2%)(2%)
  • Values are presented in: mean±SD (median).

  • *Statistically significant difference at p<0.004 (Bonferroni correction).

  • †Defined as area opposite to the most painful area.

  • axSpA, axial spondyloarthritis; CPM, conditioned pain modulation; CSI, Central Sensitisation Inventory; PPT, pain pressure threshold; QST, quantitative sensory testing; TS, temporal summation.