Via practica 4/2006

THE CONTRIBUTION TO PATHOPHYSIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF PAIN IN INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATIC DISEASES

An understanding of the patophysiology of pain in inflammatory joint diseases involves the concepts of periferal and central sensitisations of nociceptors, which allows to explain mechanisms of hyperalgesia and allodynia. Numerous mediators, cytokines and other factors which take part in pathogenesis of inflammation, play role in both above mentioned processes. It is becoming apparent that the interactions between damages joint structures and sensory nervous system contribute not only to pain, but also to ongoing tissue injure and subsequent may influence the course of underlying inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Keywords: pain, pathophysiology, arthritis, rheumatic diseases.