A new analysis of existing research finds that bladder problems are very common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The analysis, which pooled data from many studies, estimates that nearly half of people with MS, about 48.8%, have a condition called neurogenic bladder, where the bladder doesn't work properly due to nerve damage.
The analysis included data from 39,304 people with MS. It looked at different types of bladder symptoms. Storage symptoms, like feeling the need to urinate often or urgently, were the most common, affecting about 39.1% of people. Mixed symptoms, which include both storage and voiding problems, were also common, affecting about 40.9%. Voiding symptoms, such as trouble starting to urinate or a weak stream, affected about 21.4%.
It's important to note that the studies varied widely, with the prevalence of bladder problems ranging from 6% to 94% across different studies. This variation is likely due to differences in how bladder problems were defined and measured. The analysis did not find that age, disability level, or disease duration were linked to the likelihood of having bladder problems.
The main takeaway is that bladder issues are a common and significant problem for people with MS. The authors suggest that standardized screening and assessment could help identify these issues earlier and improve care. If you have MS and are experiencing bladder symptoms, it's important to talk to your doctor about them.
