Pharmacological treatment of pain in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Pain is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) and was recently estimated to be experienced by up to 75% of patients. Nociceptive and neuropathic pain in MS may be present concurrently and at different stages of the disease and may be associated with other symptoms. Evidence for treating pain in MS is limited. Many clinical features of pain are often unrecognized by clinicians and are difficult for patients to describe. Treatment is often based on anecdotal reports and clinical experience. We present a review of treatment options for pain in MS that should serve to update current knowledge, highlight shortcomings in clinical research and provide indications towards achieving evidence-based treatment of pain in MS.

Keywords::

• central pain
• multiple sclerosis
• neurogenic pain
• neuropathic pain
• trigeminal neuralgia

Acknowledgements

The Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society (AISM) supported the preparation of this review. The authors thank Simona Minguzzi, Gianpaolo Brichetto, Chiara Provasi and Silvia Traversa for their assistance in the preparation of the manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no relevant financial interests, including employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties related to this manuscript.