Published in

MDPI, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 19(11), p. 5639, 2022

DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195639

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

The Impact of Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunctions on Marital Relationship in Men with Multiple Sclerosis: A Single Cohort Study

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by a great variety symptoms. Most MS patients suffer from neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (nLUTS) and erectile dysfunctions (ED). The aim this study is to assess the impact of nLUTS and ED on marital relationships in MS patients. Materials and Methods: MS male patients that arrived for our attention were prospectively enrolled in the study. All of the patients were evaluated on an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), an IIEF-5 for sexual function, an ICIQ-MLUTS for urinary function, and a Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) for marital relationships. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests in STATA/MP14. Results: The data of 57 male MS patients were eligible. The mean age was 45 (13.7) years, the mean disease duration was 15.49 (7.86) years, and the mean EDSS score was 3.5 (1.89). In total, 33 (57.89%) MS patients reported urine incontinence, of those, 24 (42.11%) reported UUI. The mean DAS score was 74.40 (34.58). The mean IIEF-5 score was 12.40 (8.05). The mean ICIQ-MLUTS score was 71.94 (41.06). The DAS and ICIQ-MLUTS scores were negatively correlated (r = −0.30, p < 0.001). The DAS and IIEF-5 were moderately correlated (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). The DAS and EDSS were strongly correlated (r = −0.72, p < 0.001). A univariate analysis showed that increasing age (p < 0.001), a longer disease duration (p = 0.029), a higher EDSS score (p < 0.001), and a higher ICIQ-MLUTS score (p < 0.001) were all significantly associated with lower DAS scores. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the large negative impact that nLUTS and ED due to MS have on patients’ marital relationships, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in MS patients.