The Effects of Incontinence on Functionality, Disability, and Quality of Life in Male and Female Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Purpose: To determine the effects of incontinence on male and female patients with multiple sclerosis in terms of functionality, disability, and quality of life.

Methods: The study included 90 patients (45 male, 45 female) with multiple sclerosis (MS) with a median age of 37 years. After recording the sociodemographic characteristics, urinary incontinence was evaluated in terms of quality of life with the International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), overactive bladder symptoms with Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-V8 (OAB-V8), quality of life with Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire-54 (MSQOL-54), and function was evaluated with the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS).

Results: The demographic and clinical features, types of incontinence, total and sub-dimensions of ICIQ-SF, LEFS, OAB-V8, MSQOL-54 were determined to be similar in both males and females with MS (p>0.05). The education level of males was higher than that of females (p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between the mean LEFS score and MSQOL-total, MSQOL-PHC(physical health composite) and MSQOL-MHC(mental health composite) scores, and a negative correlation was found between the mean LEFS score and the ICIQ-SF and OAB-V8 scores (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Urinary incontinence, overactive bladder and lower extremity functionality may be similar in males and females with MS. It should not be ignored that lower extremity functionality may negatively affect incontinence symptoms.