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| Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2002 Jan-Feb;19(1):39-48. |
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Assessment of pain and health-related quality of life in slowly
progressive neuromuscular disease.
Abresch RT, Carter GT, Jensen MP, Kilmer DD.
University of California, Davis, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, USA.
Few studies have examined the effect of pain on the quality of life of individuals with
slowly progressive neuromuscular disease (NMD). The purpose of this study was to determine
the frequency and extent to which subjects with slowly progressive NMD report pain and the
association between pain and health-related quality of life in persons with NMD. The study
design was a descriptive, nonexperimental survey. Of a total of 1,432 subjects with slowly
progressive NMDs recruited from a university-based NMD clinic and the membership rosters
of worldwide NMD support organizations, 859 agreed to participate. The primary measurement
tool used was the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 health survey. Our results indicated that,
with the exception of adult spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the frequency and severity of
pain reported in slowly progressive NMDs was significantly greater than levels of pain
reported by the general US population and was comparable to pain reported by subjects with
osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. There was a significant correlation between
increased pain and lower levels of general health, vitality, social function, and physical
role. Pain was moderately associated with increased fatigue, inability to cope adequately
with stress, and sleep disturbance. In conclusion, with the exception of adult SMA, the
frequency and severity of pain reported in slowly progressive NMDs was significant.
Publication Types:
PMID: 12173612 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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