Pain in patients with multiple sclerosis and its effect on selected aspects of the quality of life

Czech version

Authors: M. Miertová ¹; N. Juríčková ²; A. Ovšonková ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Ústav ošetrovateľstva, Jesseniova, lekárska fakulta v Martine, Univerzita, Komenského v Bratislave, Slovensko ¹; Oddelenie cievnej chirurgie, Univerzitná nemocnica Martin, Slovensko ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2024; 87(3): 208-212
Category: Original Paper
doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/csbb2024208

Overview

Aim: To determine the mean intensity of currently experienced pain, its impact on behavioral and functional domains of life according to the The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Pain Effects Scale (PES) and currently experienced overall quality of life according to the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life 54 (MSQoL-54) in MS. Patients and methods: The quantitative observational study had 108 MS patients. The questionnaire included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to assess the intensity of current pain, MOS PES to determine the impact of pain on selected functional and behavioral areas of the quality of life, and subjective perception of the overall quality of life using the item of the MSQoL-54. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate averages and Spearman’s correlation coefficient to detect any relationship. Results: Patients reported a mean moderate pain intensity according to the VAS (M = 3.8). Pharmacotherapy was used by 66.7% of patients with the effect of occasional and frequent pain minimization; most commonly used drugs were nonsteroidal antiphlogistics (N = 55). Non-pharmacological methods were used by 36 patients with intermittent and frequent pain minimization; most used method was exercise. MOS PES showed a moderate effect of pain on functional and behavioral quality of life domains. According to the MSQoL-54, overall quality of life was rated as satisfactory (M = 5.8), and was rated lower with increasing pain intensity. Increasing pain intensity according to the MOS PES negatively affected mood, walking ability, sleep, activities of daily living, and recreational activities. Conclusion: Objectification of pain and identification of its impact on quality of life will help to improve individualized MS treatment.

Keywords:

Pain – Quality of life – Neurology – Multiple sclerosis – patient

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