Understanding pain processing in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis

Pain Processing in Inflammatory and Non-Inflammatory Chronic Pain Syndromes

Observational University of Florida · NCT05277025

This study is trying to understand how people with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis experience pain in similar ways to help improve treatment options.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
Trial IDNCT05277025 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the mechanisms of pain processing in patients with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. It focuses on how these conditions may share overlapping pain mechanisms, leading to both nociceptive and nociplastic pain experiences. By analyzing patients who meet specific criteria for these chronic pain syndromes, the study seeks to deepen the understanding of pain mechanisms and their implications for treatment. The study will include participants aged 18-70 who fulfill established diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18-70 diagnosed with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or advanced organ disease may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies for patients suffering from fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored pain mechanisms in chronic pain syndromes, indicating potential for meaningful insights, though this specific approach may be novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Ages 18-70
* Fulfills the 1990 and 2011 American College of Rheumatology Criteria for FM
* Fulfills the 2010 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for RA
* Healthy volunteers: No significant pain/fatigue/depression/anxiety.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diabetes
* Cancer
* Advanced liver, kidney or cardiovascular disease
* Neuropathic pain

Where this trial is running

Gainesville, Florida

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions FibromyalgiaRheumatoid Arthritis
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.