Does physical activity affect urinary incontinence in women with multiple sclerosis?

This study examined the associations between urinary incontinence (UI), physical activity, and disease burden among women with multiple sclerosis (MS).

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 574 women with MS. Participants completed questionnaires including demographic data, as well as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29).

Mean age was 38.48 ± 10.10 years, mean body mass index 24.90 ± 4.86 kg/m², and median time since diagnosis 7 years. Median moderate and vigorous physical activity was 0.00 log-MET, while sitting and walking were 6.11 and 6.21 log-MET, respectively; total IPAQ-SF median was 7.20 log-MET. Correlations showed negligible associations between total IPAQ-SF and UI scores (IIQ-7: r = -0.036, p = .386; UDI-6: r = 0.010, p = .808) and significant positive correlations with MSIS-29 physical (r = 0.622, p < .001) and mental scores (r = 0.426, p < .001). Hierarchical regression indicated socio-demographic variables explained 2.3% of variance in physical activity (R² = 0.023, p = .020). Final model significant predictors were education (B = -0.106, β = -0.100, p = .030), MSIS-29 physical (B = -0.006, β = -0.151, p = .030), UDI-6 score (B = 0.031, β = 0.174, p = .024), childbirth status (B = 0.416, β = 0.293, p = .033), and birth weight of heaviest child (B = 0.000, β = -0.213, p = .047). Age, body mass index, marital status, living condition, chronic disease, and menopausal status were not significant. Full model explained 5.6% of variance (R² = 0.056).

Physical activity in women with MS is influenced by education, MS-related physical impact, UI, and reproductive factors, while moderate and vigorous activity levels remain particularly low. These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions addressing socio-demographic, clinical, and reproductive determinants to promote activity in this population.

This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study, and thus no clinical trial registration was undertaken.