Back Pain and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders and back pain can occur as a result of irregular, asymmetric movement patterns and postures due to muscular weakness, spasticity or imbalance in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The aim was to investigate musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors of low back pain in MS patients. Methods: In this study, patients followed in our large MS centre with confirmed MS with an EDSS score between 4 to 7 were selected. Data of MS history, pain, musculoskeletal disorders, muscle strength and spasticity in lower limbs were collected. Results: 190 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 54.9 ± 9.2 years and 32.1% participants were man. The mean disease duration was 19.3 ± 9.9 years, and the median EDSS score was 6. 48.9% of patients had a secondary progressive form and 27.4% had a relapse remitting form. The most common musculoskeletal disorders were: knee osteoarthritis (7.9%), claw toe (6.8%) and genu recurvatum (6.3%). The prevalence of low back pain was 41.6% and was higher in patients with a progressive form (secondary: OR=2.96 (p=0,0079) and primitive OR=2.63; p=0.0398)) or a visual dysfunction at EDSS score (OR=1.41 (p=0.0124)) and decreased in male patients (OR= 0.31 (p=0.0014)). Conclusions: A progressive form of MS and visual dysfunction increased the risk of low back pain in these patients.