title: Characteristics of pain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain is an often underestimated and neglected symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional survey, 46 patients with ALS, 46 age- and gender matched population-based controls, and 23 diseased controls with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) were screened for occurrence, type, distribution, and treatment of pain and cramps. Data were collected with the use of the short form brief pain inventory (BPI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain was reported in 78% of ALS patients,79% of DM2 patients, and 54% of controls (P<0.05). More ALS patients than controls reported moderate to severe pain (42% vs. 20%). Pain in ALS patients interfered significantly more with daily activities than in controls (median pain interference score: 3.0 vs. 1.2, P<0.05), especially enjoyment of life (5.0 vs. 1.0) and mood (3.0 vs. 1.0). There was no correlation between the duration of the disease and the severity of pain. Movement-induced cramps were reported in 63% of ALS patients, mostly in the distal extremities. There was no difference in the duration of ALS disease between patients reporting cramps and those who did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that pain was a relatively frequent symptom which had an important impact on the quality of life. Pain that requires treatment can occur at every stage of ALS.
authors: Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Hanisch
authors: Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany.
authors: Anika
authors: A
authors: Skudlarek
authors: Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany.
authors: Janine
authors: J
authors: Berndt
authors: Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, Halle (Saale), D-06120, Germany.
authors: Malte E
authors: ME
authors: Kornhuber
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; cramps; motor neuron disease; pain; spasticity
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