Acute and chronic pain syndromes in multiple sclerosis. A 5-year follow-up study.

Forty-nine (22 males, 27 females) patients with definite multiple sclerosis were examined twice with 5 years interval regarding acute (less than 1 month duration) and chronic (more than 1 month duration) pain syndromes. From the first to the second examination a significant increase was found in the number of acute and chronic pain syndromes, including tension and pain in the extremities, spasms, low back pain, Lhermitte's sign and neuralgia. The increase included both men and women. The increase was especially found in patients with deterioration of disability.