Is There a Relationship Between Overactive Bladder and Sexual Dysfunction in Women with Multiple Sclerosis?

Background Lower urinary tract Symptoms (LUTS) and Sexual dysfunction (SD) are common in women with MS and affect quality of life. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between sexual dysfunction (SD) and overactive bladder in women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods From January 2019 to January 2021, we evaluated 89 female MS patients admitted for LUTS in a Neuro-Urology Department. SD was investigated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). All subjects completed the Urinary Symptom Profile scale (USP) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD A/HAD D). Neurological impairment was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). All patients underwent neurological examination and urodynamic studies. Univariate analysis and Multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of SD in women with MS (FSFI Outcomes Primary outcome was to determine the association between sexual dysfunction in women with MS and LUTS (overactive bladder, stress incontinence or voiding dysfunction). Results Sexual dysfunction (FSFI Clinical implications Sexual disorders in women with MS should be assessed as much as urinary disorder. Strengths and limitations this study included the largest cohort of women with MS. But the sample was obtained in an outpatient setting with low neurological impairment. Conclusion In our study, SD was frequent affecting young women with no anticholinergic treatment and low physical impairment. Overactive bladder seemed to be independent predictor of sexual dysfunction. Conversely, SD was not associated with detrusor overactivity, neurological impairment, or duration of disease but was strongly associated with depression.