title: Bowel problems and coping strategies in people with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease, estimated to affect 100,000 people in the UK. Bowel symptoms are reported to be common in MS, with constipation affecting 29-43% and faecal incontinence affecting just over 50%. Both have an impact on quality of life. Very little is known about how people with MS manage their bowels and the effectiveness of different interventions. We conducted a 2-part survey of people with MS and bowel problems. MS Society members were invited to participate in an online survey: 155 replied. 47 people additionally filled in a more detailed postal questionnaire. In this self-selected sample, 34% spend more than 30 minutes a day managing their bowel. Managing bowel function was rated as having an impact equal to mobility difficulties on quality of life. Respondents used a wide range of strategies to manage their bowel but few were rated as very helpful. There is a need for high quality research on all aspects of managing bowel dysfunction in MS in order to improve patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Burdett Institute of Gastrointestinal Nursing, St Mark's Hospital
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chelvanayagam
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology