The Journal of Pain
Volume 8, Issue 8 , Pages 614-623, August 2007

Chronic Pain in Multiple Sclerosis: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Impact on Quality of Life in an Australian Community Cohort

  • Fary Khan

      Affiliations

    • Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
    • F. Khan received the Neurology Research Fellowship granted by the Research and Education Foundation of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress reprint requests to Dr. Fary Khan, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Melbourne, Neurological Rehabilitation Physician, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Poplar Road Parkville, Melbourne VIC 3052, Australia.
    • ,
  • Julie Pallant

      Affiliations

    • Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia.

Received 7 September 2006; received in revised form 14 March 2007; accepted 26 March 2007. published online 04 June 2007.

Abstract 

This cross-sectional study describes chronic pain in 94 persons with multiple sclerosis residing in the community. The characteristics of chronic pain, pain-related disability, pain treatments, barriers to health care, and impact on quality of life were examined. Sixty-four percent of participants reported chronic pain; of these, 60% had dysesthetic pain and 70% had episodic increases in pain. The mean numerical pain intensity rating score was moderate (5). Chronic Pain Grade was used to classify severity of pain, using scores for items for pain intensity and pain-related disability. Those in the higher pain grades had more disability and recorded more health care visits (P = .06) (not significant because of small sample size). Effective pain management techniques included analgesic medication and physical measures as reported by 54% and 44% participants, respectively. Participants’ perceived barriers to health care included environmental and personal factors. Those with multiple sclerosis and pain, compared with those with no pain, showed a significant difference in the domain of psychological well-being scores (P = .01) on the Assessment of Quality of Life scale. Additionally, the domains of independent living (P = .009) and total scores (P = .04) showed better quality of life in participants with lower pain grades. Improved understanding of chronic pain in this population may facilitate early identification for timely intervention and minimize pain-related disability.

Perspective

This article describes chronic pain in persons with multiple sclerosis living in the community. The information regarding pain prevalence, pain-related disability, and impact on quality of life provides insight into the complex multidimensional pain experience. Improved understanding of pain and early intervention may contribute to the overall well-being and decrease pain-related disability in this population.

Key words: Multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, disability, chronic pain grade, pain management

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 There are no potential conflicts of interest. The authors did not receive honoraria, travel to conferences, consultancies, stock ownership (excluding publicly owned mutual funds), equity interests, and patent-licensing arrangements.

PII: S1526-5900(07)00639-6

doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2007.03.005

The Journal of Pain
Volume 8, Issue 8 , Pages 614-623, August 2007

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