Case study exploring the benefits of clean intermittent self-catheterisation for a patient with multiple sclerosis

The aim of this case study is to illustrate the benefits of clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have incomplete bladder emptying. People with MS usually start to experience bladder symptoms 6-8 years after diagnosis, although some individuals experience symptoms from the time of diagnosis. MS is a condition of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord; the immune system attacks myelin, a substance that protects the nerve fibres, preventing messages travelling smoothly along the fibres to control the whole body, which includes the nerves that control the bladder. This article includes a case study of a patient who presented with issues of urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence. This affected her work-life balance: she was extremely fatigued and experienced reduced mobility. Since commencing CISC her confidence has increased, she has felt less fatigued, and the issues with urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence have resolved.