Impact of intermittent catheterization on the quality of life of multiple sclerosis patients

Lower urinary tract dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the impact of intermittent catheterization (IC) on the quality of life of patients affected by MS.

Between 2007 and 2009, we admitted 23 patients to teach them the technique of IC. Their quality of life was evaluated before and more than 6 months after the beginning of learning the technique, when the urinary situation was stable. Two questionnaires were used: one specific for urinary disorders (QUALIVEEN(®)) and one general (SF-36(®)).

Twenty-two patients followed this different way of bladder emptying. More than 6 months (9.3 ± 3 months on average) after first learning to use IC, the impact of urinary disorders explored by Qualiveen(®) had significantly decreased (the overall quality of life; bother with limitation; fears; feelings; Wilcoxon's test, respectively p = 0.004; 0.007; 0.02; 0.02) while the quality of life was not diminished.

Intermittent catheterization (IC) in association with overall urinary management, among patients affected by MS, is well accepted and reduces the impact of urinary dysfunction on their quality of life.