Van den Ameele, J;
Fuge, J;
Pitceathly, RDS;
Berry, S;
McIntyre, Z;
Hanna, MG;
Lee, M;
(2020)
Chronic pain is common in mitochondrial disease.
Neuromuscular Disorders
10.1016/j.nmd.2020.02.017.
(In press).
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Chronic pain is common in mitochondrial disease_An open access version is available from UCL Discovery_AOP.pdf - Published Version Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
In the absence of cure, the main objectives in the management of patients with mitochondrial disease are symptom control and prevention of complications. While pain is a complicating symptom in many chronic diseases and is known to have a clear impact on quality of life, its prevalence and severity in people with genetically confirmed mitochondrial disease is unknown. We conducted a survey of pain symptoms in patients with genetically confirmed mitochondrial disease from two UK mitochondrial disease specialist centres. The majority (66.7%) of patients had chronic pain which was primarily of neuropathic nature. Presence of pain did not significantly impact overall quality of life. The m.3243A>G MTTL1 mutation was associated with higher overall pain severity and increased the likelihood of neuropathic pain compared to other causative nuclear and mitochondrial gene mutations. Although previously not considered a core symptom in people with mitochondrial disease, pain is a common clinical manifestation, frequently of neuropathic nature, and influenced by genotype. Given the impact on quality of life and treatment options available, pain-related symptoms should be carefully characterised and actively managed in this patient population.
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