Urinary incontinence in multiple sclerosis: prevalence, severity and impact on patients' quality of life.
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) including frequent urination, nocturia and urge urinary incontinence negatively impact quality of life. This project aimed at characterizing the prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and its association with demographic and clinical features.



In all, 403 consecutive clinically stable MS patients answered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) and the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) questionnaire. Demographic and clinical parameters including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate linear regression models.



Females represented 72%, relapsing-remitting patients 82%. The mean (SD) disease duration and EDSS were 11.8 (8.6) years and 3.1 (1.9) respectively. Approximately 35% of patients reported urine incontinence. ICIQ scores were positively associated with EDSS, female gender, presence of LUTS therapies and absence of disease modifying treatments (P < 0.001). PPBC scores were positively associated with EDSS and the presence of LUTS therapies (P < 0.001).



Urinary incontinence is frequent in MS, prevailing in more disabled and female patients. Currently available LUTS therapies appear insufficient in the treatment of this symptom. The negative impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life is high and requires more attention in clinical management and research.
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocentre of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Regionale, Lugano, Switzerland.
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Zecca
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocentre of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Regionale, Lugano, Switzerland.|Division of Neuroscience, Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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Riccitelli
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocentre of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Regionale, Lugano, Switzerland.
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Disanto
Department of Urogynaecology, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
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Singh
Department of Urogynaecology, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.|Gynecology Department, Ospedale Beata Vergine, Mendrisio, Switzerland.
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Digesu
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocentre of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Regionale, Lugano, Switzerland.
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Panicari
Department of Urology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Puccini
Department of Urology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Mattioli
Department of Urology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Tubaro
Multiple Sclerosis Center, Neurocentre of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Regionale, Lugano, Switzerland.
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Gobbi
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
lower urinary tract symptoms; multiple sclerosis; prevalence; quality of life; urinary incontinence