ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors of low back pain in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, patients in our hospital with confirmed MS with an expanded disabilitystatus scale (EDSS) score between 4 to 7 were selected. Data of MS history, pain, musculoskeletal disorders, muscle strength and spasticity in lower limbs were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 190 patients, there were 61 males and 129 females, with an average age of(54.9±9.2) years old. The mean disease duration was(19.3±9.9) years, and the median EDSS score was 6. Forty-two patients were relapsing-remitting type, 45 patients were primary progressive type, and 93 patients were secondary progressive type. The most common musculoskeletal disorders were described as follows:knee osteoarthritis (15 cases), claw toe (13 cases) and genu recurvatum (12 cases). Seventy-nine patients with prevalence low back pain was higher than in patients with a progressive type(secondary:=2.958,=0.007 9, primary(=2.629,=0.039 8) and in patients who had a visual dysfunction at EDSS score(=1.411,=0.012 4). The prevalence was reduced in male patients(=0.306,=0.001 4).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The progressive type of MS and visual dysfunction increased the risk of low back pain in these patients.</p>