Urodynamics in patients with multiple sclerosis: is it necessary? A randomized-controlled trial

Abstract

Background

The need for complete urodynamic evaluation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) is not fully established in the literature. The objective was to evaluate the effect of urodynamics in MS patients with LUTS on treatment outcomes.

Methods

MS patients with LUTS were recruited. On their first visit, urinary symptoms, symptom bother and urologic quality-of-life were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. On their second visit, patients were randomized into two groups: Group A underwent uroflowmetry, and Group B underwent a urodynamic study. Patients received treatment based on the whole evaluation and then were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months.

Results

Fifty MS patients with LUTS were randomized to 25 patients in each group. All scores decreased significantly after 6 months of treatment in both groups (p < 0.05). However, no differences were found between the two groups at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment (p > 0.05) concerning treatment outcomes.

Conclusion

A detailed clinical and non-invasive evaluation of MS patients with LUTS seems to be sufficient for prescribing an effective treatment. A urodynamic study does not influence the response to the prescribed treatment in terms of LUTS severity, bother or urologic quality-of-life.

Keywords:

• Multiple sclerosis
• urodynamics
• lower urinary tract symptoms
• quality-of-life

Author contributions

Conceptualization EH. Methodology EH, JS, GM, JZ and CM. Formal analysis EH, JS, GM, JZ, CM, JH and EN Investigation EH, JZ, CM, NS, SA, and CA. Writing – Original draft EH, JS and GM. Writing – Review and editing JZ, CM, NS, SA, CA, JH, HA, SK, EN. Supervision EH and EN.

All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree with the order of presentation of the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Copyrights

The SF-Qualiveen questionnaire was used with permission. Qualiveen sf © 2007.

Dr. Véronique Bonniaud, Dianne Bryant, Pr. Gordon Guyatt, Pr. Bernard Parratte and Laboratories Coloplast all rights reserved.

Contact information and permission to use: Mapi Research Trust, Lyon, France – Internet: https://eprovide.mapi-trust.org.

Additional information

Funding

The present research was financially supported by the Institutional Research Committee of Saint Joseph University (Beirut, Lebanon).