The 2026 BSR guideline for pain management in people with inflammatory arthritis

The 2026 British Society for Rheumatology guideline for pain management in people with inflammatory arthritis

Pain is a frequent symptom in people with inflammatory arthritis (IA), which has substantial impact on their quality of life. Analyses of electronic health record data indicate that UK pain care in people with IA often involves prescribing long-term opioids and gabapentinoids, despite absent trial evidence for efficacy. Patient survey data suggest that non-pharmacological pain care with supportive trial evidence is underused. A UK-specific guideline on pain management for people with IA is required to address this. This comprehensive life-course guideline is the first British Society for Rheumatology Guideline to specifically address pain in people with IA. It provides evidence-based recommendations on how pain can be best managed in people with IA. It was developed using the methods outlined in the British Society for Rheumatology’s ‘Creating Clinical Guidelines’ protocol by a multidisciplinary Guideline Working Group, comprising healthcare professionals with expertise in paediatric and adult rheumatology and people with lived experience. By undertaking and considering the evidence from several systematic literature and umbrella reviews, 23 recommendations were developed. These address how pain should be assessed in people with IA alongside the role of the following treatments in IA pain management: DMARDs, glucocorticoids, analgesics, neuromodulators, exercise and physical activity, psychological interventions, ergonomic and orthotic interventions (excluding orthoses for foot pain), education, weight management and diet, addressing sleep problems, fatigue management, digital technologies and medical devices, complementary therapies, and support from others. An audit tool is provided to support the Guideline’s implementation, and key recommendations made for future research.


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