Severity of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Predicts Neurologic Quality of Life in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are underreported in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We aim to define the incidence of LUTSs in patients with MS and their effect on neurologic quality of life. Materials and Methods: We identified patients presenting to the neurology clinic for routine follow-up for multiple sclerosis. Each patient responded to validated questionnaires regarding urinary quality of life using the Bladder Control Scale (BLCS) from the Multiple Sclerosis Quality-of-Life Inventory (MSQLI) and overall Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (NeuroQOL). A retrospective chart review was performed to assess for the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms. Overall neurologic quality of life was measured in the presence and absence of LUTS, and P -values were calculated using the Student t test. A urinary quality-of-life score was correlated with an overall neurologic quality-of-life score using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results: The study included 91 patients who completed the validated questionnaires. Of the 91 patients, 85 (93%) described the presence of at least 1 lower urinary tract symptom. The most common symptoms were urgency (84%), frequency (69%), incontinence (54%), and retention (38%). Seventy-two (79%) patients reported that LUTS negatively affected urinary quality of life. The presence of LUTS negatively affected the overall neurologic quality of life. Urinary quality of life was predictive of the overall neurologic quality of life (−0.22, P = .04). Conclusions: LUTSs are very common in patients with MS, and they not only significantly affect but also predict the overall neurologic quality of life.