Pharmacological treatment of pain in multiple sclerosis

Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics

Volumn 7, Issue 9, 2007, Pages 1165-1174

  Solaro, Claudio ^b   Tanganelli, Paolo ^b   Uccelli, Michele Messmer ^a  

^a Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society   (Italy)

^b ASL 3 Nord Hospital   (Italy)

Author keywords

Central pain; Multiple sclerosis; Neurogenic pain; Neuropathic pain; Trigeminal neuralgia

Indexed keywords

AMITRIPTYLINE; CARBAMAZEPINE; CLOMIPRAMINE; LAMOTRIGINE; NORTRIPTYLINE; TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANT AGENT;

ATAXIA; BONE MARROW DEPRESSION; CLINICAL FEATURE; CONSTIPATION; DIPLOPIA; DIZZINESS; DYSARTHRIA; EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE; FATIGUE; GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOM; GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NEURALGIA; HUMAN; HYPONATREMIA; LOW BACK PAIN; MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; NEUROPATHIC PAIN; NOCICEPTION; NYSTAGMUS; OPTIC NEURITIS; PAIN; PAIN ASSESSMENT; REVIEW; SEDATION; SIDE EFFECT; TREMOR; TRIGEMINUS NEURALGIA;

ANALGESICS; CLINICAL TRIALS; HUMANS; MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; PAIN; PHYSICIAN'S PRACTICE PATTERNS;

EID: 34548862041     PISSN: 14737175     EISSN: 17448360     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1586/14737175.7.9.1165     Document Type: Review

References (87)

1. Hadjimichael O, Kerns RD, Rizzo MA, Cutter G, Vollmer T. Persistent pain and uncomfortable sensations in persons with multiple sclerosis. Pain 127(1-2), 34-41 (2007).
2. Merskey H, Bogduk N. In: Classification of Chronic Pain: Descriptions of Chronic Pain Syndromes and Definitions of Pain Terms (2nd Edition). Report of the Task Force on Taxonomy of the International Association for the Study of Pain. IASP Press, Seattle, WA, USA (1994).
3. Brichetto G, Messmer Uccelli M, Mancardi GL, Solaro C. Symptomatic medication use in multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. 9(5), 458-460 (2003).
4. Grond S, Radbruch L, Meuser T, Sabatowski R, Loick G, Lehmann KA. Assessment and treatment of neuropathic cancer pain following WHO guidelines. Pain 79(1), 15-20 (1999).
5. Clifford DB, Trotter JL. Pain in multiple sclerosis. Arch. Neurol. 41, 1270-1272 (1984).
6. Kassirer MR, Osterberg DH. Pain in chronic multiple sclerosis. J. Pain Symptom Management 2, 95-97 (1987).
7. Solaro C, Brichetto G, Amato MP et al. The prevalence of pain in multiple sclerosis. A multicenter cross-sectional study. Neurology 63, 919-921 (2004). • Key prevalence paper that utilized structured interviews to collect data, providing a reliable picture of the prevalence of pain in multiple sclerosis (MS).
8. Paty DW, Ebers GC. Clinical features. In: Multiple Sclerosi. Paty DW, Erbs GC (Eds). F. A. Davis Company, PA, USA 135-191 (1998).
9. Svendsen KB, Jensen TS, Overad K et al. Pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. Arch. Neurol. 60, 1089-1094 (2003).
10. Solaro C, Brichetto G, Battaglia MA, Messmer Uccelli M, Mancardi GL. Antiepileptic medications in multiple sclerosis: adverse effects in a three-year follow-up study. Neurol. Sci. 25(6), 307-310 (2005).
11. Cianchetti C, Zuddas A, Randazzo AP, Perra L, Marrosu MG. Lamotrigine adjunctive therapy in painful phenomena in MS: preliminary observations. Neurology 53(2), 433 (1999).
12. McCleane G. Lamotrigine can reduce neurogenic pain associated with multiple sclerosis. Clin. J. Pain 14(3), 269-270 (1998).
13. Houtchens MK, Richert JR, Sami A, Rose JW. Open label gabapentin treatment for pain in multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. 3(4), 250-253 (1997).
14. Samkoff LM, Daras M, Tuchman AJ, Koppel BS. Amelioration of refractory dysesthetic limb pain in multiple sclerosis by gabapentin. Neurology 49(1), 304-345 (1997).
15. Herman RM, D'Luzansky SC, Ippolito R. Intrathecal baclofen suppresses central pain in patients with spinal lesions. A pilot study. Clin. J. Pain 8(4), 338-345 (1992).
16. Dahm PO, Nitescu PV, Appelgren LK, Curelaru II. Long-term intrathecal (i.t.) infusion of bupivacaine relieved intractable pain and spasticity in a patient with multiple sclerosis. Eur. J. Pain 2(1), 81-85 (1998).
17. Kalman S, Österberg A, Sörensen J, Boivie J, Bertler A. Morphine responsiveness in a group of well-defined multiple sclerosis patients: a study with i.v. morphine. Eur. J. Pain 6, 69-80 (2002).
18. Sakurai M, Kanazawa I. Positive symptoms in multiple sclerosis: their treatment with sodium channel blockers, lidocaine and mexiletine. J. Neurol. Sci. 162(2), 162-168 (1999)
19. Svendsen KB, Jensen TS, Bach FW. Does the cannabinoid dronabinol reduce central pain in multiple sclerosis? Randomised double blind placebo controlled crossover trial. Br. Med. J. 329(7460), 253 (2004).
20. Rog DJ, Nurmikko TJ, Friede T, Young CA. Randomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 65(6), 812-819 (2005).
21. Zajicek J, Fox P, Sanders H et al. UK MS Research Group. Cannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (CAMS study): multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 362(9395), 1517-1526 (2003). • Pivotal study of cannabinoids and the largest randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which pain was a secondary outcome measure. While improvement in pain and other symptoms was based on subjective reports, this study led to further trials and to the eventual approval of cannabinoids for MS in Canada.
22. Wade DT, Makela P, Robson P, House H, Bateman C. Do cannabis-based medicinal extracts have general or specific effects on symptoms in multiple sclerosis? A doubleblind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on 160 patients. Mult. Scler. 10(4), 434-441 (2004).
23. Parker HL. Trigeminal neuralgic pain associated with multiple sclerosis. Brain 51, 46-62 (1928).
24. Moulin DE, Foley KM, Ebers GC. Pain syndromes in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 38(12), 1830-1834 (1988).
25. Österberg A, Boivie J, Thuomas KA. Central pain in multiple sclerosis - prevalence and clinical characteristics. Eur. J. Pain 9(5), 531-542 (2005).
26. Jensen TS, Rasmussen P, Reske-Nielsen E. Association of trigeminal neuralgia with multiple sclerosis: clinical and pathological features. Acta Neurol. Scand. 65, 182-189 (1982).
27. Hooge JP, Redekop WK. Trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 45(7), 1294-1296 (1995).
28. Brisman R. Trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis. Arch. Neurol. 44(4), 379-381 (1987).
29. De Simone R, Marano E, Brescia Morra V et al. A clinical comparison of trigeminal neuralgic pain in patients with and without underlying multiple sclerosis. Neurol. Sci. 26, S150-S151 (2005).
30. Olafson RA, Rushton JG, Sayre GP. Trigeminal neuralgia in a patient with multiple sclerosis. An autopsy report. J. Neurosurg. 24, 755-759 (1966).
31. Chakravorty BG. Association of trigeminal neuralgia with multiple sclerosis. Arch. Neurol. 14(1), 95-99 (1966).
32. Lazar ML, Kirkpatrick JB. Trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis: demonstration of the plaque in an operative case. Neurosurgery 5, 711-717 (1979).
33. Love S, Gradidge T, Coakham HB. Trigeminal neuralgia due to multiple sclerosis: ultrastructural findings in trigeminal rhizotomy specimens. Neuropathol. Appl. Neurobiol. 27, 238-244 (2001).
34. Broggi G, Ferroli P, Franzini A et al. Operative findings and outcomes of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia in 35 patients affected by multiple sclerosis. Neurosurgery 55(4), 830-838; discussion 838-839 (2004).
35. Cruccu G, Leandri M, Feliciani M, Manfredi M. Idiopathic and symptomatic trigeminal pain. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 53(12), 1034-1042 (1990).
36. Gass A, Kitchen N, MacManus DG, Moseley IF, Hennerici MG, Miller DH. Trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis: lesion localization with magnetic resonance imaging. Neurology 49(4), 1142-1144 (1997).
37. Meaney JFM, Watt JMG, Eldridge PR, Whitehouse GH, Wells JCD, Miles JB. Association between trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis: role of magnetic resonance imaging. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 59, 253-259 (1995).
38. Bergamaschi R, Romani A, Versino M et al. Usefulness of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials to detect subclinical trigeminal impairment in multiple sclerosis patients. Acta Neurol. Scand. 89, 412-414 (1994).
39. Campbell FG, Graham JG, Zilkha KJ. Clinical trial of carbazepine (Tegretol) in trigeminal neuralgia. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 29, 265-267 (1966).
40. Killian JM, Fromm GH. Carbamazepine in the treatment of neuralgia. Use of side effects. Arch. Neurol. 19, 129-136 (1968).
41. Nicol CF. A four year double blind study of tegretol in facial pain. Headache 9, 54-57 (1969).
42. Ramsaransing G, Zwanikken C, De Keyser J. Worsening of symptoms of multiple sclerosis associated with carbamazepine. Br. Med. J. 320(7242), 1113 (2000). •• Highlights the issue of adverse effects of carbamazepine on MS symptoms, worsening symptoms that mimic an MS exacerbation. This underlines the importance of recognizing that the same medication can have different side effects in MS patients than in other subjects. While carbamazepine is often effective for the treatment of pain syndromes in MS, a subgroup of subjects will be intolerable even at low doses.
43. Linderoth B, Hakanson S. Paroxysmal facial pain in disseminated sclerosis treated by retrogasserian glycerol injection. Acta Neurol. Scand. 80(4), 341-346 (1989).
44. Kondziolka D, Lunsford LD, Bissonette DJ. Long-term results after glycerol rhizotomy for multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia. Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 21(2), 137-140 (1994).
45. Broggi G, Franzini A. Radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy in treatment of symptomatic non-neoplastic facial pain. J. Neurosurg. 57(4), 483-486 (1982).
46. Berk C, Constantoyannis C, Honey CR. The treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis using percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy. Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 30(3), 123-220 (2003).
47. Rogers CL, Shetter AG, Ponce FA, Fiedler JA, Smith KA, Speiser BL. Gamma knife radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia associated with multiple sclerosis. J. Neurosurg. 97(Suppl. 5), 529-532 (2002).
48. Huang E, Teh BS, Zeck O et al. Gamma knife radiosurgery for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis patients. Stereotact. Funct. Neurosurg. 79(1), 44-50 (2002).
49. Broggi G, Ferroli P, Franzini A, Pluderi M, La Mantia L, Milanese C. Role of microvascular decompression in trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis. Lancet 354(9193), 1878-1879 (1999). • Suggests a dual cause, a plaque in the pons and neurovascular compression, in some subjects with trigeminal neuralgia and MS in which microvascular decompression may be a treatment option.
50. Resnick DK, Jannetta PJ, Lunsford LD, Bissonette DJ. Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis. Surg. Neurol. 46(4), 358-361; discussion 361-362 (1996).
51. Broggi G, Ferroli P, Franzini A, Servello D, Dones I. Microvascular decompression for trigeminal nevralgia: comments on a series of 250 cases, including 10 with multiple sclerosis. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 68, 59-64 (2000).
52. Athanasiou TC, Patel NK, Renowden SA, Coakham HB. Some patients with multiple sclerosis have neurovascular compression causing their trigeminal neuralgia and can be treated effectively with MVD: report of five cases. Br. J. Neurosurg. 19(6), 463-468 (2005).
53. Juniper RP, Glynn CJ. Association between proxysmal trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain. Br. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 37, 444-447 (1999).
54. Elrasheed AA, Worthington HV, Ariyaratnam S, Duxbury AJ. Opinions of UK specialists about terminology, diagnosis, and treatment of atypical facial pain: a survey. Br. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg. 42, 566-571 (2004).
55. Fazzone HE, Lefton Dr, Kupersmith MJ. Optic neuritis: correlation of pain and magnetic resonance imaging. Ophthalmology 110, 1646-1649 (2003).
56. Al-Araji AH, Oger J. Reappraisal of Lhermitte's sign in multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. 11(4), 398-402 (2005).
57. Minagar A, Sheremata WA. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia and MS. Neurology 54(6), 1368-1370 (2000).
58. Ramirez-Lassepas M, Tulloch JW, Quinones MR, Snyder BD. Acute radicular pain as a presenting symptom in multiple sclerosis. Arch. Neurol. 49(3), 255-258 (1992).
59. Spissu A, Cannas A, Ferrigno P, Pelaghi AE, Spissu M. Anatomic correlates of painful tonic spasms in multiple sclerosis. Mov. Disord. 14(2), 331-335 (1999).
60. Solaro C, Uccelli MM, Guglieri P, Uccelli A, Mancardi GL. Gabapentin is effective in treating nocturnal painful spasms in multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. 6(3), 192-193 (2000).
61. Solaro C, Tanganelli P. Tiagabine for treating painful tonic spasms in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 75(2), 341 (2004).
62. Restivo DA, Tinazzi M, Patti F, Palmeri A, Maimone D. Botulinum toxin treatment of painful tonic spasms in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 61(5), 719-720 (2003).
63. Beiske AG, Pedersen ED, Czujko B, Myhr KM. Pain and sensory complaints in multiple sclerosis. Eur. J. Neurol. 1, 479-482 (2004).
64. Moulin D. Pain in central and peripheral demyelinating disorders. Neurol. Clin. 16, 889-898 (1998).
65. Thompson AJ. Symptomatic treatment in multiple sclerosis. Curr. Opin. Neurol. 11, 305-309 (1998).
66. Al-Smadi J, Warke K, Wilson I et al. A pilot investigation of the hypoalgesic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation upon low back pain in people with multiple sclerosis. Clin. Rehabil. 17(7), 742-749 (2003).
67. Warke K, Al Smadi J, Baxter D, Walsh DM, Lowe-Strong AS. Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tens) for chronic low-back pain in a multiple sclerosis population: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin. J. Pain 22(9), 812-819 (2006).
68. Penn RD, Paice JA. Chronic intrathecal morphine for intractable pain. J. Neurosurg. 67(2), 182-186 (1987).
69. Mirò J, Garcia-Moncò C, Leno C, Berciano J. Pelvic pain: an undescribed paroxysmal manifestation of multiple sclerosis. Pain 32, 73-75 (1988).
70. Vermote R, Ketalaer P, Carlton H. Pain in multiple sclerosis patients: a perspective using the McGill pain questionnaire. Clin. Neurol. Neurosurg. 88, 87-93 (1986).
71. Stenager E, Knutsen L, Jensen K. Acute and chronic pain syndromes in multiple sclerosis. Acta Neurol. Scand. 84, 197-200 (1991).
72. Warnell P. The pain experience of a multiple sclerosis population: a descriptive study. Axon 13(1), 26-28 (1991).
73. Archibald CJ, McGrath PJ, Ritvo PG et al. Pain prevalence, severity and impact in a clinical sample of multiple sclerosis patients. Pain 58, 89-93 (1994).
74. Indaco A, Iachetta C, Nappi C, Socci L, Carrieri PB. Chronic and acute pain syndromes in patients with multiple sclerosis. Acta Neurol. 16, 97-102 (1994).
75. Stenager E, Knudsen L, Jensen K. Acute and chronic pain syndromes in multiple sclerosis. Ital. J. Neurol. Sci. 16(9), 629-632 (1995).
76. Ehde DM, Gibbons LE, Chwastiak L, Bombardier CH, Sullivan MD, Kraft GH. Chronic pain in a large community sample of persons with multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. 9(6), 605-611 (2003).
77. Ehde DM, Osborne TL, Hanley MA, Jensen MP, Kraft GH. The scope and nature of pain in persons with multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. 12, 629-638 (2006).
78. Espir ML, Millac P. Treatment of paroxysmal disorders in multiple sclerosis with carbamazepine (Tegretol). J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 33(4), 528-531 (1970).
79. Reder AT, Arnason BGW. Trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis relieved by a prostaglandin E analogue. Neurology 45, 1097-1100 (1995).
80. Lunardi G, Leandri M, Albano C et al. Clinical effectiveness of lamotrigine and plasma levels in essential and symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia. Neurology 48, 1714-1717 (1997).
81. Khan OA. Gabapentin relieves trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis patients. Neurology 51(2), 611-614 (1998).
82. Solaro C, Lunardi GL, Capello E et al. An open-label trial of gabapentin treatment of paroxysmal symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients. Neurology 51(2), 609-611 (1998).
83. Leandri M, Lunardi G, Inglese M et al. Lamotrigine in trigeminal neuralgia secondary to multiple sclerosis. J. Neurol. 247(7), 556-558 (2000).
84. Solaro C, Messmer Uccelli M, Uccelli A, Leandri M, Mancardi GL. Low-dose gabapentin combined with either lamotrigine or carbamazepine can be useful therapies for trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis. Eur. Neurol. 44(1), 45-48 (2000).
85. Zvartau-Hind M, Din MU, Gilani A, Lisak RP, Khan OA. Topiramate relieves refractory trigeminal neuralgia in MS patients. Neurology 55(10), 1587-1588 (2000).
86. Solaro C, Uccelli MM, Brichetto G, Gasperini C, Mancardi GL. Topiramate relieves idiopathic and symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia. J. Pain Symptom Manage. 21(5), 367-368 (2001).
87. DMKG study group. Misoprostol in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia associated with multiple sclerosis. J. Neurol. 250(5), 542-545 (2003).