Abstract:

Objective: We aimed to investigate the correlations of urinary symptoms with urodynamic findings in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their effects on quality of life. Methods: Nineteen MS patients with urinary symptoms were included. The data were obtained from files or with face-to-face interviews. Symptom types of patients were categorized as irritative, obstructive, and mixed. The Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, the King’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (KQL) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire-Short Form were used to determine the effect of urinary symptoms on quality of life. The Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was used to assess disability. All patients underwent urodynamic examination. Results: The most frequent finding in urodynamic testing was detrusor overactivity (57.9%) while 26.3% had normal urodynamics. EDSS score did not correlate with urinary symptoms or urodynamic findings; it correlated only with the “Role limitation” subscale of the quality of life scales. While there was no relationship between symptom type and quality of life, the rate of detection of pathological findings on urodynamic examination and the bladder capacity in patients with mixed-type symptoms were significantly higher than the patients with irritative symptoms (p<0.05). The ‘’Emotions’’ and ‘’Sleep/Energy’’ subscale scores of the KQL were significantly higher in patients with abnormal urodynamic test compared with those without urodynamic pathology. Conclusion: The urinary symptoms significantly affect the quality of life in MS patients. Since symptoms do not always correlate with the underlying pathology, it is more appropriate to give the treatment based on the bladder type in urodynamic testing.

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