Pain in people with multiple sclerosis: Associations with modifiable lifestyle factors, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and mental health quality of life

Abstract

Background: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience pain, which can interfere with mobility, employment, and quality of life (QOL). Methods: This cross-sectional study explored associations between pain, demographic, disease, and modifiable lifestyle factors in an international sample of people with MS recruited online. results: Substantial pain, of moderate/severe intensity and interfering at least moderately with work/household or enjoyment of life in the past 4 weeks, was reported by 682/2,362 (28.9%). Substantial pain was associated with fatigue (odds ratio (OR): 6.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.9,9.3), depression (OR:4.0, 95% CI:3.2,5.1), anxiety (OR:2.4, 95% CI:1.9,2.9..