Monitoring the relationship between overactive bladder and mobility disorders in women with multiple sclerosis

Currently, there is a lack of studies monitoring the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and mobility disorders in women with multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to monitor the relationship between overactive bladder and mobility impairments in women with multiple sclerosis.

A number of 106 female patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with relapsing-remitting (RR) form, disability stage: EDSS ≤ 6.5, from the specialized outpatient clinic of the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences in Košice. Urinary leakage symptoms were assessed by the modified International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ UI-SF), and overactive bladder symptoms were assessed by the Short Overactive Bladder Symptoms Questionnaire (OAB-q). The Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) and the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) were used.

In MS patients, we found the following correlations: a significant positive mean correlation between the severity of OAB and UI symptoms and physical attributes. We found a significant positive moderate correlation between severity of OAB and UI symptoms and psychological attributes. We found a negative significant moderate correlation between OAB and UI symptom severity and mobility. It was confirmed that the more severe the symptoms of UI and OAB, the greater the difficulty of mobility in performing physical activities, and thus the negative impact of SM disease on patients' psychological health increases.