Üst Trapez Kasındaki Miyofasiyal Ağrı Sendromunda Tetik Noktaların Klinik Bulgular, Algometre ve Ultrasonografi ile Değerlendirilmesi: Yaşam Kalitesi ile İlişkisi

Abstract

Introduction: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) which is the leading cause of musculoskeletal pain, is experienced at any time in 85% of the general population. MPS disrupts the quality of life and functionality. The aim of this study was to determine the severity of the pain at the trigger points by visual analog scale (VAS) and algometer, and to evaluate the relationship between the patients’ functional status and quality of life, as well as to investigate the correlation between the quantitative USG measurements and clinical variables, in patients with MPS. Materials and Methods: A total of 88 patients with MPS who were aged between 18-60 years and who had been admitted to Hacettepe University Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, were included to the study. Age, gender, duration of symptoms, education, height, weight, body mass index were recorded. Physical examination was performed to determine the number of trigger points and range of motion of the neck. The pressure pain threshold at the most painful trigger point was measured by the algometer; the same point was evaluated by shear-wave elastography. Patients completed the visual analog scale (VAS), Neck Pain and Disability Index (NPDI), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Results: Seventy-eight (89%) of the patients were female and 10 (11%) were male. The mean age was 33.6 ± 11.8 years. VAS scores were moderately correlated with NPDI scores and as well as with the first/second parts of the NHP. There was no correlation between the duration of symptoms and the number of trigger points with VAS score, pressure pain threshold and shar-wave elastography variables. No correlation was observed between shear-wave elastography velocity measurements and other clinical variables. Conclusion: The severity of pain in MPS patients was correlated with functional status and quality of life, but no correlation was observed between ultrasonographic measurements and clinical variables. In recent years, ultrasonographic evaluation of musculoskeletal problems is very important. Further research is required in order to determine the relationship between ultrasonographic measurements and severity of pain, functional status and quality of life and also to suggest the shear-wave elastography in the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of patients with MPS.