Abstract Details

Title Multiple Sclerosis Related Pain with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lesion Localization Correlation and Gender Differences: A Cohort Study

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P10 - Poster Session 10 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 9-020

Objective To investigate multiple sclerosis related pain with MRI lesion localization correlation and gender differences.

Background Pain has been estimated to occur in 17% to 86% of multiple sclerosis patients. We evaluated whether there were gender differences in MS related pain and localization of lesions contributed to these symptoms.

Design/Methods This study was conducted at Texas Tech University Neurology Clinic. Approval by the Institutional Review Board was obtained prior to this study. A total of 98 patients with Multiple Sclerosis, between the age of 18 to 65, fulfilling the 2010 McDonald criteria were enrolled (72 female; 26 male) with utilization of the Modified McGill pain questionnaire. Patients with previous diagnosis of headache, acute pain due to optic neuritis, and somatic pain were excluded. Brain and spinal MRI (1.5 Tesla scanner) were obtained and were evaluated for lesion localizations and lesion counts. Differences by gender in age and pain were tested using two-sided Student’s t-test. Pain groups were compared in MRI findings using chi-squared test.

Results Moderate to severe pain was found in 92.3% of the patients that had a lesions in the thalamus and in 86% of the patient's with brainstem lesions. We found a higher proportion of thalamus and brainstem lesions in males (p=0.018, and p=0.009 respectively). Spinal, thalamus, and brainstem lesions combined showed also a higher proportion for males than females (p=0.043).

Conclusions Lesions in the thalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord appear to be more prevalent in males than females and associated with an increased risk of pain-type symptoms progressing to chronic pain. Early treatment of these lesions, even in clinically asymptomatic patients, may be justified.

Authors/Disclosures
GyeongMo Sohn, MD (Inje University – Haeundae Paik Hospital) PRESENTER	Dr. Sohn has nothing to disclose.
Smathorn Thakolwiboon, MD (Mayo Clinic Health System)	Dr. Thakolwiboon has nothing to disclose.
Mirla L. Avila, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ�� (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center)	Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Genzyme, BMS, Serono. Dr. Avila has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for biogen, genzyme, BMS. The institution of Dr. Avila has received research support from Texas Tech.

�鶹��ýӳ��

�鶹��ýӳ��