Perceived pain and its association with physical functioning in older adults with and without multiple sclerosis

Pain is commonly reported and has been linked to worse mobility outcomes in both older adults and persons with multiple sclerosis. However, no studies to our knowledge, reported on this association in older adults with multiple sclerosis. We compared the presence of perceived pain in older adults with multiple sclerosis to non-multiple sclerosis controls, assessed the relationship between perceived pain and mobility impairment in both groups, and evaluated whether the presence of multiple sclerosis moderates this relationship.

Participants were older adults with multiple sclerosis and non-multiple sclerosis controls who underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment. Perceived pain was assessed via the Medical Outcomes Study Pain Measures and mobility through the Short Physical Performance Battery. Logistic regressions and moderations were used for statistical analyses.

Older adults with multiple sclerosis reported higher frequency of perceived pain compared to non-multiple sclerosis controls, but covariates attenuated this association. Among those who reported pain, compared to non-multiple sclerosis controls, older adults with multiple sclerosis reported worse pain severity and interference. In both groups, the presence of perceived pain and worse pain severity were associated with mobility impairment in unadjusted, but not adjusted models; pain interference was associated with mobility impairment irrespective of statistical adjustments. The presence of multiple sclerosis did not moderate these relationships.

Perceived pain may be experienced differentially by older adults with multiple sclerosis compared to non-multiple sclerosis controls. Among older adults, pain interference is associated with greater odds of mobility impairment irrespective of the presence of multiple sclerosis.