Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Optimal Diagnostic Algorithm for Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients With MS

There is no consensus in the literature upon the neurourological diagnostic algorithm of the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary aim of the study is phenotyping the patients with MS. These phenotypes might guide Neurology and Urology specialists during diagnosis and treatment. Secondary aim of this study is to define the presence and severity of urological symptoms' and disorders', involving the patients with diagnosis of MS less than 5 years into a urological follow-up and treatment process. Our study might include 4 visits (the first visit, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month visit). Questionnaires, uroflowmetry and bladder diary might be repeated on each visit. Filling cystometry and pressure-flow study will be performed only on the first visit. All patients will receive 6 different questionnaires which aim to define the severity and presence of lower urinary tract symptoms. Bladder diary is an online application which will represent at least 3 days of frequency, urgency, incontinence episodes and the amount of fluid intake, and urination. The phenotypes would be defined after performing the first visit diagnostic tools (all of the tools are necessary during the diagnostic algorithm of neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms). The phenotypes will be defined as: a. no symptoms with normal urodynamics, b. Lower urinary tract symptoms with normal urodynamics, c. no symptoms with abnormal urodynamics, d.lower urinary tract symptoms with abnormal urodynamics. During a follow-up period of 1 year, changes in the bladder diaries and scores in questionnaires of these groups will be compared on each visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

The patients who are followed up by Department of Neurology with MS diagnosis less than 5 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who are not eligible for completing questionnaires, bladder diaries.
2. Patients who have anatomical disorders preventing lithotomy position during urodynamic study.
3. Patients in relapsing period of MS
4. Patients who have symptoms of urinary tract infection