Urinary Catheterization May Not Adversely Impact Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) healthcare providers (HCP) have undergone considerable educational efforts regarding the importance of evaluating and treating pelvic floor disorders, specifically, urinary dysfunction. However, limited data are available to determine the impact of catheterization on patient quality of life (QoL). Objectives. To describe the use of urinary catheterization among MS patients and determine the differences between those who report positive versus negative impact of this treatment on QoL. Methods. Patients were queried as part of the 2010 North American Research Committee On Multiple Sclerosis survey; topics included 1) urinary/bladder, bowel, or sexual problems; 2) current urine leakage; 3) current catheter use; 4) catheterizing and QoL. Results. Respondents with current urine leakage were 5143 (54.7%), of which 1201 reported current catheter use (12.8%). The types of catheters (intermittent self-catheterization and Foley catheter (indwelling and suprapubic)) did not differ significantly. Of the current catheter users, 304 (25.35%) respondents reported catheterization negatively impacting QoL, 629 (52.4%) reported a positive impact on QoL, and 223 (18.6%) reported neutral QoL. Conclusions. A large proportion of catheterized MS patients report negative or positive changes in QoL associated with urinary catheterization. Urinary catheterization does not appear to have a universally negative impact on patient QoL. 1. Introduction Urinary catheterization, either indwelling or intermittent, is often utilized for the treatment of chronic voiding dysfunction associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). To the outside observer, urinary catheterization may often be feared as “painful” or “uncomfortable” and presumed to negatively impact patient quality of life (QoL). Unfortunately, for patients with MS and other neurologic conditions refusing to catheterize is not an option. To date, the number of MS patients requiring this invasive therapy has remained unknown [1]. Our unit previously demonstrated significant rates of satisfaction with the evaluation and treatment of bladder and bowel dysfunction in patients with MS. Recent efforts to increase patient, family, and clinician awareness regarding the importance of pelvic floor issues appear to be positively received by most MS patients and to favorably impact their QoL [2]. Urinary catheterization is often an important part of the treatments for voiding disorders. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary catheterization among men and women with MS using a large