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Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Asymptomatic Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
Anke K Jaekel1,2, Franziska I Winterhagen1,3, Federico L Zeller2
1Department for Neuro-Urology, Clinic for Urology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Asymptomatic patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often have neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Early screening for NLUTD is recommended in all MS patients, irrespective of symptoms or disease stage.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Urology
- Neuro-urology
Background:
- Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is a known complication of multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Current clinical practice often delays neuro-urological diagnostics until urinary symptoms manifest.
- Limited research exists on NLUTD in asymptomatic MS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize NLUTD in asymptomatic MS patients.
- To identify correlations between clinical parameters and NLUTD in this population.
- To evaluate the necessity of screening for NLUTD regardless of symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of bladder diaries, urodynamic findings, and uroflowmetry with post-void residual.
- Correlation analysis of voided volume, voiding frequency, UTIs, and uroflowmetry with urodynamic results.
- Assessment of asymptomatic MS patients.
Main Results:
- 26% of MS patients studied were asymptomatic.
- 73.7% of asymptomatic patients showed urodynamic evidence of NLUTD.
- Significant correlations were found between bladder diary parameters, UTIs, and NLUTD.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic status does not rule out NLUTD in MS patients.
- Urinary tract damage can be present early in MS, even without symptoms.
- Routine screening for NLUTD is recommended for all MS patients, irrespective of symptoms or disease stage.
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