Mahsa GHAJARZADEH, Rozita JALILIAN, Mohammad Ali SAHRAIAN, Abdorreza Naser MOGHADASI, Amirreza AZIMI, Mehdi MOHAMMADIFAR and Sepehr AZIZI

ABSTRACT

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which affects the central nervous system. Many patients with multiple sclerosis suffer from persistent pain during the disease course. In Iranian cases, pain has not been regarded as it should be.
Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence and types of pain in Iranian multiple sclerosis patients.
Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the multiple sclerosis clinic of Sina Hospital between October 2014 and August 2015. Eighty eight multiple sclerosis patients were enrolled. Participants were asked to fill a valid and reliable Persian version of the Brief Pain Inventory. Demographic data (sex, age), disease duration and disease course were extracted from patients’ medical files. All patients were examined by an expert neurologist to obtain Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Results: The mean age and mean duration of disease were 30.4±7.6 years and 5.9±4 years, respectively. Median EDSS was 1. All patients reported pain. The most common sites of pain were upper extremities (52.3%). Higher the EDSS score, higher pain interference with the evaluated items. By using the worst pain intensity as a dependent variable, and age, sex, EDSS, disease duration and type of disease as independent variables, regression analysis showed that the EDSS score was an independent predictor for the intensity of pain in this group of patients.
Conclusion: Pain is a common symptom found in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Thus, an accurate and thorough assessment of pain should be integrated in the routine evaluation of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Keywords: multiple sclerosis, pain, Iran.

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Fariba ASKARI, Mahsa GHAJARZADEH, Rozita JALILIAN, Amirreza AZIMI, Mansoureh TOGHA, Mohammad Ali SAHRAIAN and Mehdi MOHAMMADIFAR

ABSTRACT

Migraine and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two neurologic disorders that influence different aspects of women who are affected. Sexual function is one of the co-morbidities that are not considered well in such cases. The goal of this study to evaluate sexual function in women experiencing either migraine or MS. Eighty six married migraineus patients and 86 age- matched married MS cases were asked to fill out valid and reliable Beck depression inventory (BDI) and FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index ) questionnaires. BDI score was higher in women with migraine than MS cases and BDI scores in both groups were high in cases with sexual dysfunction. BDI score was significantly correlated with total FSFI and its subscales in both groups. Multiple linear regression analysis between the FSFI as a dependent variable and age, BDI and education level as independent variables showed that age and BDI are independent predictors of FSFI in both groups.

Sexual dysfunction should be considered in women with either MS or migraine.

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