Objective: Aim: Bladder disorders are one of the most troubling symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which impact patients quality of life (QoL). Therefore the aim of this pilot study was to assess this problem.
Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: 47 patients (28 females and 19 males, aged 40,8±12,2 years; EDSS 3,2±1,9) diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) during disease modifying treatment (DMT) were enrolled to our study. Patients were asked to fill 8-item Actionable Bladder Symptoms Screening Tool (ABSST), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Inventory (MSQLI) and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ).
Results: Results: Bladder problems were reported by 24/47 (51%) of patients, but only 7/24 (36,8%) were treated. The results of ABSST (2,3±1,5) and Incontinence Impact (II) domain of KHQ (40,3±20,5) indicated influence of the bladder disorders on patients QoL. Besides bladder control, the most important impact on QoL from MSQLI are fatigue and mental health issiues.
Conclusion: Conclusions: Bladder symptoms in MS have significant impact on patients QoL, and therefore should be a part of clinical evaluation and must be actively treated.
Keywords: bladder dysfunction; multiple sclerosis; quality of life.