The prevalence of
pain and its impact on outpatients with
neuromuscular disease, and their attitude towards the use of
analgesics were studied. Seventy-eight outpatients at the university hospital, Tokyo, diagnosed with
Parkinson's disease,
spinocerebellar degeneration,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or
multiple sclerosis were asked whether they had experienced
pain in the preceding week. The Brief
Pain Inventory, Japanese version was used to interview participants reporting
pain, about its intensity and interference with activities, the way they dealt with it, attitudes to
pain and use of
analgesics, and desire for treatment. Forty-six participants experienced
pain in the preceding week (59%). The mean
pain intensity was 4.1 out of 10, and 20% of participants reported that the degree of interference with mobility was at least 6 out of 10. Most participants dealt with their
pain without medication, by changing posture frequently or
massage. Approximately 80% of participants regarded
pain as something they should endure. Half of the participants wanted more information on methods for
pain relief. Approximately 80% of participants were anxious about adverse reactions of
analgesics. These findings suggest that medical staffs should provide appropriate information and educate their patients.