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[Pain in multiple sclerosis: prevalence, mechanisms, types and treatment]
Pedro E Bermejo1, Celia Oreja-Guevara, Exuperio Díez-Tejedor
1UAM. Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Espana. pedro.bermejo.v@gmail.com
Introduction:
Pain is a frequent symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS), although its prevalence and its importance vary from one study to another.
Aim:
To analyse the prevalence, types, mechanisms and treatments of the different painful syndromes that affect patients with MS.
Development:
The work includes a non-systematic review of the literature on the above-mentioned aspects in patients with MS. The prevalence of pain in this disease is higher than what was initially supposed and some series estimate it to be up to 86%. It has important effects on patients' quality of life, limiting both their daily activities and their working life. It is associated with advanced age, duration of the disease, degree of disability, fatigue and depression. There are different types of pain in patients with MS and several different classifications have been proposed. Examples of such systems of classification include dysesthesias in the extremities, complex regional pain, L'Hermitte's sign, trigeminal neuralgia, pain associated to optic neuritis, painful tonic spasms, low back pain and headache. Treatments used are the same as those employed with patients who do not have MS, since few studies have been conducted in patients with this disease.
Conclusions:
Pain affects a high percentage of patients with MS, its pathophysiology is unknown and there are no specific treatments. We therefore recommend that further studies should be carried out to investigate the pain experienced by patients with MS.
Insights
Pain significantly impacts multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, affecting up to 86%. Current treatments for MS pain are not specific, and its underlying causes remain unclear, necessitating further research.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Pain is a common and impactful symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Its prevalence and significance in MS patients are often underestimated.
- Pain negatively affects daily activities and quality of life for individuals with MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence, types, mechanisms, and treatments of pain syndromes in multiple sclerosis.
- To analyze the impact of pain on the quality of life for MS patients.
- To identify current treatment strategies and knowledge gaps in managing MS-related pain.
Main Methods:
- A non-systematic literature review was conducted.
- Data on pain prevalence, types, associated factors, and treatments in MS were synthesized.
- Classifications of MS pain syndromes were examined.
Main Results:
- Pain affects a substantial percentage of MS patients, with prevalence estimates up to 86%.
- Pain is linked to disease duration, disability, fatigue, depression, and advanced age.
- Various pain types exist, including dysesthesias, trigeminal neuralgia, and headaches; however, treatments are not MS-specific.
Conclusions:
- A high proportion of multiple sclerosis patients experience pain.
- The pathophysiology of MS-related pain is not well understood.
- There is a lack of specific treatments for MS pain, highlighting the need for further investigation.
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