Correlates of musculoskeletal pain in neuromuscular diseases

This study presents the predictive correlates of musculoskeletal pain in neuromuscular diseases. Sixty-five subjects with different types of neuromuscular diseases were included. Age of the subjects and duration of their illness were recorded. Strengths of trunk muscles and of proximal muscles of the extremities were evaluated manually. Rising from floor to stand up position was used as timed performance test. Walking performance was assessed by Hauser ambulation index. Presence of pain was recorded and, for the subjects with musculoskeletal pain, its intensity was evaluated on a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale. The presence and intensity of pain were correlated to the other evaluated parameters by using Spearman's ranked test. The results showed that the most common localization for the musculoskeletal pain was the lumbosacral area, and the pain parameters were correlated with the duration of the illness, muscle strength, timed performance test and ambulatory index. Knowledge of the localization of the musculoskeletal pain and investigated correlates may help preventive, supportive and managing rehabilitation strategies for patients with neuromuscular diseases.