RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors of low back pain in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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: OR=2.958, P=0.007 9, primary(OR=2.629, P=0.039 8) and in patients who had a visual dysfunction at EDSS score(OR=1.411, P=0.012 4). The prevalence was reduced in male patients(OR=0.306, P=0.001 4). CONCLUSIONS: The progressive type of MS and visual dysfunction increased the risk of low back pain in these patients.
