Secondary and tertiary treatments for multiple sclerosis patients with urinary symptoms

Efficacy and safety of the implantable, magnetic resonance imaging-compatible StimRouter neuromodulation system in the treatment of refractory lower urinary tract symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) significantly affect quality of life (QoL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and pharmacotherapy has limited efficacy. We investigated efficacy and safety of the implantable StimRouter neuromodulation system for treating refractory LUTS in MS.

METHODS

This prospective, single-center, clinical trial was conducted at the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Lugano, Switzerland, involving MS patients treated with self-administered percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation delivered by StimRouter over 24 weeks. Changes in video-urodynamic parameters as well as LUTS severity were measured by Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), QoL using the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQoL-54), and treatment satisfaction using a 1-10 visual analogue scale. Adverse events were also recorded.

RESULTS

Of 23 MS patients recruited, six had neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), five had detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), and 12 had both NDO and DSD. Of patients with NDO, median bladder volume at first uninhibited contraction significantly increased from baseline to week 24 (median = 136 mL, interquartile range [IQR] = 101-244 mL vs. 343 mL, IQR = 237-391 mL; β = 138.2, p = 0.001). No significant changes of urodynamic parameters were found in patients with DSD. OAB-q symptom scores progressively decreased, and OAB-q quality of life scores increased (β = -0.50, p < 0.001 and β = 0.47, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas MSQoL-54 scores did not significantly change (β = 0.24, p = 0.084) in the overall population. Treatment satisfaction was overall high (median = 8, IQR = 6-9). No serious adverse events were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

StimRouter represents a minimally invasive, magnetic resonance imaging-compatible, self-administered neuromodulation device leading to objective and subjective improvements of OAB symptoms and related QoL in MS patients with refractory LUTS.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Its Benefits for Multiple Sclerosis Patients Suffering From Urinary Incontinence and Sexual Dysfunction

Several reports have been published during the last decade studying the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in treating urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of the current study is to bring up-to-date findings of earlier systematic reviews, taking into account data published up till June 2023. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost were screened for randomized controlled studies, clinical trials, and systematic reviews. The keywords for the current review were MS, urinary incontinence, sexual function, and PFMT. The implementation of predetermined eligibility criteria permitted an appropriate and convenient study selection. English language publications alone were considered. After removing duplicates and screening the initially recovered articles, an initial search within the present review identified 19 studies. Finally, 10 randomized control trials and two systematic reviews were eligible for evaluation and included in the current review. The outcome measures were the severity of incontinence or overactive bladder, leakage episodes, sexual dysfunction, health-related quality of life, and adherence to PFMT. PFMT is a convenient and effective treatment tool that can significantly improve health-related quality of life and reduce the severity of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder symptoms in people with MS. The present review confirms the effectiveness of specific exercises on leakage episodes, pad usage, sexual dysfunction, compliance to treatment, and treatment satisfaction. Further research is needed to strengthen the reported results.

Management of bladder dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies regarding bladder rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of rehabilitation programs for bladder disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to guide physicians in delineating therapeutic tools and programs for physiatrists, using the best current strategies.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Studies were eligible if they included adults with bladder disorders related to MS and described specific treatments of rehabilitation interest. The search identified 190,283 articles using the key words "multiple sclerosis" AND "rehabilitation" AND "urinary" OR "bladder," of which the reviewers analyzed 81 full-texts; 21 publications met the criteria and were included in the systematic review.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The systematic review identified the specific rehabilitation treatments reported in the current literature. The meta-analysis compared the scores and scales used to quantify bladder disorders due to MS, both before and after rehabilitation or in a comparison with a control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests the need of a specific therapeutic protocol, based on the degree of disability and symptom complexity in patients with MS-related neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Particularly, the meta-analysis shows the effectiveness of peripheral tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). However, the goal of physiotherapy is to treat incontinence without making urinary retention worse and vice-versa, reducing the loss of urine urgency, while ensuring the emptying of the bladder.

Perspectives on urological care in multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Lower urinary tract dysfunction due to MS includes a dysfunction of the storage phase or dysfunction of the voiding phase or a detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Baseline evaluation includes a voiding chart, an ultrasound scan of the urinary tract, urine culture, and an urodynamic study. For storage symptoms, antimuscarinics are the first-line treatment, and clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is indicated if there is concomitant incomplete bladder emptying. Intradetrusor injections with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A), are recommended for refractory cases. Urinary diversion is rarely indicated. For patients with voiding symptoms, CIC and alpha-blockers are usually offered. Sexual dysfunction in patients with MS is multifactorial. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are first-line therapies for MS-associated erectile dysfunction in both male and female patients. This review summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, genetic, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, and management of MS. Lastly, the urologic outcomes and therapies are reviewed.

The "Treatise on the spleen and stomach" (Pí Wèi Lùn) as the first record of multiple sclerosis in the medical literature - A hypothesis based on the analysis of clinical presentation and herbal medicine

Background

The “Treatise on the spleen and stomach” (Pí Wèi Lùn) is the work of the scholar and physician Li Gao (Jin-Yuan dynasties, 1115–1368 C.E., China). Li Gao described a clinical presentation that today would fall under the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and proposed the treatment with herbal medicine and nutritional guidelines. The PWL is well known for its application in the treatment of MS and autoimmune conditions. However, this theoretical “MS” has not yet been analyzed through a scientific investigation, and research on its herbal formulations for MS is scant.

Methods

We analyzed the PWL “MS” clinical presentation considering biomedical diagnostic criteria and neurological correlates. To support our review, we searched Pubmed for studies on the PWL main herbal formulas and their herbs/isolates used for the believed “MS” which treated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)/MS.

Results

We found a very close correlation between the PWL “MS” and the current MS diagnosis. Twenty four studies on the herbs-isolates showed significant amelioration of EAE, neuronal damage, and demyelination.

Discussion

Collectively, Astragali radix, Ginseng radix, Glycyrrhizae radix, and berberine containing Phellodendri cortex reduced the severity of EAE through different signaling pathways and mechanisms of action. These herbs provided a wide range of properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microglial activation, anti-infiltration of leukocytes, apoptotic/anti-apoptotic balance, and neuronal protection.

Conclusion

Our review proposes that the PWL is the first record of MS in the medical literature. Its formulas and herbs-isolates offer a fertile area for MS research and an invaluable potential for its treatment.

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We propose that the Pí Wèi Lùn is the first record of MS in the medical literature.

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All twenty four studies on the PWL’s selected herbs/isolates showed improvement of EAE.

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Different signaling pathways/mechanisms of action provided synergistic properties.

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In the PWL, the gastrointestinal system is key for MS and science supports it.

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The PWL offers a fertile area of research and enormous potential for MS treatment.

The reorganisation of a dedicated neurourology service: An interim review

Objective:

Neuropathic bladder and urinary system pathology, such as incontinence and stone formation, are the most frequently encountered complications of spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurological disease. This study assesses the patient population and current practice at a tertiary UK neurourology service following dedicated clinic restructuring in 2017.

Methods:

A retrospective database was created to assess all patients attending the neurourology clinic over an 8-month period. The database recorded patient demographics, pathologies and subsequent investigations and management. Clinical innovations such as dedicated patient questionnaires and the formation of a dedicated multidisciplinary team, and their subsequent impacts on service improvement, were also assessed.

Results:

A total of 99 patients attended the clinic during the study. The most common pathology was SCI (51.5% (51)). The most common complaints were continence and catheter issues (61.6% (61)). Urinary symptoms such as frequency (15.2% (15)), infection (13.1% (13)) and urinary tract stones (9.1% (9)) accounted for the remainder of presenting complaints. Operative intervention was required in 25.3% (25) of cases.

Conclusion:

Patients with SCI and neurological disease experience a range of urinary symptoms with significant morbidity. Ensuring upper tract integrity, safe bladder management and intervening when necessary to improve quality of life are important concerns for the neurourologist. The redesigning of a dedicated neurourology clinic has permitted the treatment of such patients with a systematic approach ensuring safe bladder monitoring and upper tract surveillance. The introduction of a validated patient-reported symptom score has helped objective monitoring of symptoms before and after specific interventions. Patient concerns regarding sexual function and fertility are increasingly being encountered and addressed in the clinic. Level of evidence: 4

The prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms based on individual and clinical parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background

Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from bladder dysfunction during the course of the disease. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of these complications among patients with MS.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed on 602 patients with MS who referred to the neurology clinics of Kashani and Alzahra Hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Multistage random cluster sampling was performed and the informed consent form was signed by the subjects. Then, all the data were collected through interviews using the Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (LUTSS) developed in accordance with the definitions presented by the International Continence Society (ICS) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and DASS-21 questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests in SPSS.

Results

The prevalence rate of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was 87.6% among all the subjects, with a similar rate among women (88.0%) and men (86.0%). There was a significant difference between men and women in terms of the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), intermittent urine flow, hesitancy, straining, and dribbling (P <  0.050). There was no significant difference between women and men in terms of the prevalence of other symptoms (P > 0.050). A significant difference was observed in the degree of LUTS with age, marital status, marriage duration, education, illness duration, clinical course, disability, anxiety, depression, and stress (P<  0.05). Moreover, logistic regression analysis revealed that there was a higher probability of a urinary problems among patients with MS and a high EDSS score [0.67 (0.507–0.903), P = 0.008].

Conclusions

A high prevalence of LUTS was found among patients with MS. There was a higher probability of a urinary tract problem among patients with MS and a high EDSS score. Therefore, it is recommended that the health system take the necessary measures regarding timely detection and treatment of LUTS among these patients in order to prevent secondary outcomes and improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients with MS.

Electrical Stimulation of Muscle: Electrophysiology and Rehabilitation

The generation of action potentials in intramuscular motor and sensory axons in response to an imposed external current source can evoke muscle contractions and elicit widespread responses throughout the nervous system that impact sensorimotor function. The benefits experienced by individuals exposed to several weeks of treatment with electrical stimulation of muscle suggest that the underlying adaptations involve several physiological systems, but little is known about the specific changes elicited by such interventions.