Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) affects approximately 75% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) (1). Urgency and urge incontinence are most frequently re¬ported (2). Although the impact of UI on QOL has been reported mostly in the general population, the effect in MS is likely similar (3). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between disability status and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients with urinary incontinence.

32 multiple sclerosis women who presented with urinary incontinence participated this study. 2 participants have stres incontinence, 18 participants have urge urinary incontinence, 8 participant have mixed urinary incontinence and 4 participants have insensible urinary incontinence. Quality of life was assessed by quality of life specific to urinary incontinence King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Patients’ disability status scored with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Normal distribution was assessed by Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Spearman’s rho non-parametric correlation coefficients between parameters were calculated. The statistical significance level was accepted as p≤0.05 and SPSS version 22.

The age of participants ranged from 20 to 64 years (44,93±10,78  ). The years of MS disease year ranged from 1 to 26 years ( 11,09±6,90 ).  It was found statistically significant positive correlation between urinary incontinence related quality of life and disability status (r=0.392, p<0.05). It was not found correlation between urinary incontinence related quality of life and disease year and age (r=-0.274, p>0.05; r=-0.105, p>0.05).

As in the literature, 56% of our participants have urinary incontinence. Our results are presented in our hypothesis. Urinary incontinence related quality of life affects diasbility status but it is not affected by the disease year and patinet’s age.

The MS patients should be assed according to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) right after the diagnosis; the strategies which manages the LUTS should be used right away. We continue our study by increasing the number of participants.

McClurg, D., Ashe, R. G., & Lowe-Strong, A. S. (2008). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis—a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised clinical trial. Neurourology and urodynamics, 27(3), 231-237.
Massot, C., Khenioui, H., Agnani, O., Guyot, M. A., Hautecoeur, P., & Donze, C. (2016). Stress urinary incontinence in women with multiple sclerosis. International neurourology journal, 20(3), 224.
Block, V., Rivera, M., Melnick, M., & Allen, D. D. (2015). Do Physical Therapy interventions affect urinary incontinence and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis? An Evidence-based Review. International journal of MS care, 17(4), 172-180.