[Genitourinary changes in multiple sclerosis: the need for a urodynamic study]

In this study we have evaluated the urinary and sexual alterations of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by means of neurourological and neuroandrological studies.

In 41 patients with MS we took a clinical history and made a neurourological physical examination. We also did a full urodynamic study including measurement of flow and postmictional residue, cystomanometry and test of the detrusor pressure/mictional flow. Selective electromyography of the periurethral sphincter and a cystourethrographic study were also done. In patients complaining of erection dysfunction this was also studied by means of an erection test with intracavernosal vasoactive drugs and special neurophysiological techniques including the obtention of S2-S4 evoked potentials in the bulbo-cavernosal muscle and the somatosensorial potentials of the pudendal nerve.

In patients with MS there is a predominance of mixed and irritative urinary symptoms rather than obstructive symptoms. The vesico-urethral dysfunction of upper motor neurone type was the most frequent urodynamic diagnosis. There were no statistically significant differences between the urinary symptoms of the different urodynamic diagnoses. Ninety percent of the patients with erectile dysfunction had associated vesico-urethral dysfunction of upper motor neurone type and 100% of the patient with erectile dysfunction had dysfunction of the sphincter of the urinary bladder.

In patients with MS there is no correlation between the clinical symptoms and urodynamic diagnosis. Therefore urodynamic diagnosis is essential not only for diagnosis but also for development of suitable treatment. The urodynamic diagnosis of dysfunction of the bladder sphincter is a risk factor in patients with MS. In our series 100% of the cases with erectile dysfunction also had dysfunction of the bladder sphincter.