Category: Parkinsonism, Atypical: MSA
Objective: To assess the frequency of different pain types in multiple system atrophy (MSA).
Background: According to a recent meta-analysis, up to 60% of individuals with MSA experience pain but which types of pain contribute to pain burden in this rare disease is unknown.
Method: We analyzed data from a community-based survey on pain in MSA run online between February and May 2023. Following the King’s Parkinson’s disease Pain questionnaire (KPPQ), we classified pain types as musculoskeletal, chronic, fluctuation-related, nocturnal, oro-facial, discoloration (oedema/swelling) and shooting pain/pins and needles. Additionally, we collected information on further putative MSA-related pain types.
Results: Two hundred sixty-four individuals with MSA accessed our survey. After data cleaning, responses from 194 MSA individuals were retained for final analysis. One hundred and sixty-six individuals (87%) with MSA had pain in the previous 30 days. Among them, 73% (n=114) reported nocturnal, 63% (n=98) musculoskeletal, 57% (n=94) fluctuation-related, 55% (n=85) chronic, 43% (n=66) shooting pain/pins and needles, 32% (n=49) oro-facial, and 28% (n=44) discoloration, oedema/swelling pain. Most of them (85%, n=132) reported suffering more than one pain type concurrently. Additionally, 48% (n=75) of them reported painful cold-hands and cold feet, 44% (n=69) pains related to bruises, 26% (n=41) coat-hanger pain, 26% (n=41) infection-related pain, 22% (n=34) painful bladder spasms, 11% (n=17) pain related to pressure sores and 6% (n=9) pain related to catheterization.
Conclusion: In our cohort, individuals with MSA most frequently reported nocturnal and musculoskeletal pain. Our findings suggest that core MSA motor and non-motor features may significantly contribute to the pain-burden of the affected individuals, underscoring the importance of an optimized symptomatic management in MSA.
The identification of the most common and distressful pain types occurring in patients with MSA will help prioritize pain-screening approaches and pave the way for the development of tailored pain management strategies in this rare disorder.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
N. Campese, G. Göbel, L. Kaltenbach, J. Wanschitz, A. Schlager, B. Caliò, F. Leys, P. Bower, L. Kellermann, L. Zamarian, K. Bannister, R. Chauhuri, A. Schrag, R. Freeman, H. Kaufmann, R. Granata, S. Kiechl, W. Poewe, K. Seppi, G. Wenning, A. Fanciulli. Pain types in multiple system atrophy: results from a community-based survey [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/pain-types-in-multiple-system-atrophy-results-from-a-community-based-survey/. Accessed May 14, 2025.« Back to 2024 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/pain-types-in-multiple-system-atrophy-results-from-a-community-based-survey/