Imipramine, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid factor

Guidelines for the use of antidepressants in painful rheumatic conditions

“…Analgesic effects of antidepressant were usually detected after one week of treatment. Low doses of amitryptiline (10–30 mg daily) may be sufficient to provide an analgesic effect (Fowler et al, 1977; Hood et al, 2001; MacNeill and Dick, 1976; McQuay et al, 1992).…”

Psychological disorders in rheumatoid arthritis: a growing consensus?

“…Preliminary evidence suggests that subjective pain, observed pain behaviours, and grip strength may all be helped by such treatments. 43 …”

Evidence Needed for Efficacy of Antidepressant Medications Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Ten studies have been published assessing the effects of antidepressant medications on pain control and/or depression severity among patients with RA. Medications examined included amitriptyline, 16-18 trimipramine, 19 imipramine, 20 milnacipran, 21 sertraline, 22 dotheipin, 23,24 and duloxetine 25 (Tables 1 and 2). Among these studies only 4 specifically targeted patients with RA and depression in the inclusion criteria, 17,19,22,23 seven assessed change in mental health outcome measures, 17-20,22-24 none accounted for diagnosis of comorbid fibromyalgia or neuropathy, and 1 assessed change in fibromyalgia symptom severity.…”

“…Medications examined included amitriptyline, 16-18 trimipramine, 19 imipramine, 20 milnacipran, 21 sertraline, 22 dotheipin, 23,24 and duloxetine 25 (Tables 1 and 2). Among these studies only 4 specifically targeted patients with RA and depression in the inclusion criteria, 17,19,22,23 seven assessed change in mental health outcome measures, 17-20,22-24 none accounted for diagnosis of comorbid fibromyalgia or neuropathy, and 1 assessed change in fibromyalgia symptom severity. 21 Additionally, only 2 studies reported if patients were in disease remission or well controlled inflammation.…”