Effects of Treating an Overactive Urinary Bladder in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the anticholinergic therapy with oxy­butynin and the effects of daily transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) on the quality of life of patients with an overactive bladder (OAB) and mul­tiple sclerosis (MS).

Patients and Methods. The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. The patients who suffer from MS underwent urodynamic tests which showed that they had an OAB. The tests used to assess symptoms and quality of life were Over­active Bladder Questionnaires (OAB-q) SF. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 30 patients each. The first group received a 5 mg oxybutynin tablet twice a day for 3 months and the second group had TTNS every day for 3 months.

Results. The anticholinergic therapy showed a statistically significant improvement in all symptoms and quality of life (P<0.001). Side ef­fects such as dry mouth were observed in about 35% of patients. The results of the study TTNS daily thera­py showed good performance in the reduction all clin­ical symptoms of the bladder and improved quality of life, with statistical significance (P<0.05) and with no side effects. It was found that the improved quality of life parameters and the reduced symptoms were more statistically significant in the treatment with oxybu­tynin tablets than TTNS therapy (P<0.001).

Conclu­sion. Our recommendation for the treatment of OAB is oxybutynin in doses of 2x5 mg. If a patient can not tolerate anticholinergic drugs, daily TTNS is recom­mended to reduce OAB symptoms and improve qual­ity of life, without side effects.