Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP85-13
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Lower urinary tract symptoms, while common, are under reported in patients with multiple sclerosis. It is unclear what the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms due to MS is on the overall quality of life. We aim to define the incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with MS and their effect on neurologic quality of life.

Methods

We identified patients presenting to neurology clinic for routine follow up for multiple sclerosis. Each patient responded to validated questionnaires regarding urinary quality of life (MSQLI) and overall neurologic quality of life (NeuroQOL). Medical records were reviewed to assess for the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms. Overall neurologic quality of life was measured in the presence and absence of lower urinary tract symptoms and p-values were calculated using student&[prime]s t-test. Urinary quality of life score was correlated to overall neurologic quality of life score by calculating the Spearman&[prime]s rank correlation coefficient.

Results

91 patients were included in the study. All 91 patients completed the validated questionnaires. 85 patients (93%) described the presence of at least one lower urinary tract symptom. The most common urinary tract symptoms were urgency (84%), frequency (69%), incontinence (54%), and retention (38%). 72 patients reported urologic symptoms negatively impacted urinary quality of life. Presence of lower urinary tract symptoms negatively impacted overall neurologic quality of life (Figure 1). Urinary quality of life was predictive of the overall neurologic quality of life (-0.24, p=0.02).

Conclusions

Lower urinary tract symptoms are very common in patients with multiple sclerosis. These symptoms greatly impact and importantly predict the overall neurologic quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Funding

None