Urodynamic profile and urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis population

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis 2008-09, Vol.14, p.S156-S156
• Main Authors: Galgani, S, Bolla, G, Haggiag, S, Gasperini, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1352-4585

Background: About 75%-84% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients develop urinary symptoms, and these may have a serious impact on quality of life. Therefore it is important to diagnose bladder dysfunction at an early stage and initiate appropriate treatment symptoms. Previous data about the relationship between objective and subjective bladder disturbances in MS are not conclusive. Objective: To correlate the prevalence of objective bladder dysfunction in relation to urinary symptoms in a MS population. Methods: During a period of about 1 year, 109 consecutive patients with clinically definite MS, with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score less than or equal to 7, underwent the following urinary assessments: maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), and bladder Electromyography (b-EMG). Furthermore the patients were asked about the relevant urinary complaints as part of the bowel/bladder Functional system score: urgency, frequency, hesitancy, urge incontinence and incomplete emptying. Results: The mean age of the patients was 44, 6 (SD 10.1) years; 73% were female, 91% had relapsing-remitting MS and 10% secondary progressive MS. The mean disease duration was 12.5 (SD +- 8.7) and EDSS score ranged from 0.0 to 7.0 with a median of 2.6 (SD +- 1.7). The median Qmax was 19.8 ml/sec (range 0 to 65; normal values were considered >15 ml/sec); the median PVR was 79 ml (range 0 to 1000; normal values were considered