Characterization of pain syndromes in patients with neuromyelitis optica

ConclusionPain is a prevalent and disabling non ‐motor symptom in NMO‐SCI. Most patients experience more than one pain syndrome which can change in time even in the absence of clinical relapse. Age of the inflammatory‐SCI was a major determinant of pain. Acknowledging temporal changes and multiplicity of pain syndromes in NMO‐SCI may give insights into more precise designs of clinical trials and general management of pain in SCI.SignificanceIn this longitudinal study with NMO ‐related SCI, pain affected almost three‐quarters of patients with NMO. Over 70% have more than one pain syndrome and at‐level neuropathic pain is the most common type of pain syndrome. Patients without pain were significantly younger but had the same burden of inflammatory lesions than those with pain. During follow‐up, up to one fifth of patients presented with changes in the main pain syndromes, which can occur even in the absence of clinical activity of the inflammatory disease. In this cohort, Pain affected quality of life as much as disability or motor strength.

Source: European Journal of Pain - July 20, 2020 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Fernanda Valerio, Samira L. Apostolos ‐Pereira, Douglas Kazutoshi Sato, Dagoberto Callegaro, Leandro Tavares Lucato, Victor Rosseto Barboza, Valquiria A. Silva, Ricardo Galhardoni, Antonia L. de Lima Rodrigues, Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira, Daniel Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research