The frequency of bowel and bladder problems in multiple sclerosis and its relation to fatigue: A single centre experience

BackgroundBowel and bladder problems affect more than 50% of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). These problems have a large impact on quality of life and place a significant burden on health systems.ObjectivesThis study aimed to ascertain the frequency of bladder and bowel problems in a select Australian MS cohort and to investigate the relationships between level of disability, bladder and bowel problems, and fatigue.MethodsQuestionnaires on the nature and severity of MS symptoms were distributed to clients attending an Australian MS centre. Log-binomial regression and multiple linear regression models were used to investigate relationships between disability, fatigue, and bladder and bowel problems.Results and conclusionsOf 167 questionnaires distributed, 136 were completed. Bladder problems were reported by 87 (74.4%) respondents, whilst 66 (48.9%) experienced functional constipation and 43 (31.9%) faecal incontinence. This frequency in our select Australian MS population is similar to that reported globally. There was a significant correlation between level of disability and: bladder problems (p = 0.015), faecal incontinence (p = 0.001), fatigue (p研究背景 肠道与膀胱功能障碍影响超过50%的多发性硬化（Multiple Sclerosis, MS）患者。此类问题不仅严重降低患者生活质量，同时给医疗保健系统带来沉重负担。研究目的 本研究旨在明确某澳大利亚多发性硬化患者队列中膀胱与肠道功能障碍的患病率，并探究残疾程度、膀胱/肠道功能障碍与疲劳之间的关联。研究方法 向前往澳大利亚某多发性硬化诊疗中心就诊的患者发放涵盖多发性硬化症状特征与严重程度的问卷。采用对数二项回归（Log-binomial regression）与多重线性回归模型，分析残疾程度、疲劳与膀胱、肠道功能障碍之间的相关性。结果与结论 本次共发放问卷167份，回收有效问卷136份。其中87名（74.4%）受访者报告存在膀胱功能障碍，66名（48.9%）出现功能性便秘，43名（31.9%）存在粪便失禁。本澳大利亚多发性硬化患者队列的此类功能障碍患病率与全球已有报道结果相近。残疾程度与膀胱功能障碍（p=0.015）、粪便失禁（p=0.001）及疲劳（p