Recent study findings indicate that symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome appear to have more impact on the quality of life of women with MS than women without MS.

Symptoms of overactive bladder include a sudden uncomfortable need to urinate with or without urine leakage.

In this trial, researchers sought to determine whether symptoms of overactive bladder have more effect on the quality of life among women with MS than women without MS.

A total 107 women with MS and urinary symptoms of overactive bladder were compared with 100 women without MS but who also had symptoms of overactive bladder. The investigators collected data on urinary complications, health status and quality of life.

According to the results, urinary symptoms had a greater impact on the quality of life in patients with MS than those without MS. However, the authors noted that the perception of the severity of these symptoms was "minor" in the MS group compared to those without MS.

The investigators did not find any significant relationships between dysfunction of the urinary system and overactive bladder symptoms for both groups. The main complication for all participants was recurrent urinary tract infections.

"In conclusion, overactive bladder symptoms have a major impact on quality of life in patients with MS, even if their perception of quality of life impairment remains limited," the researchers wrote.

This study was published May 13 online, ahead of print by the International Urogynecology Journal.

A complimentary medical news service provided by Teva Neuroscience, this news service has been developed independently and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Teva Neuroscience. MS Update is a current news service provided by VerusMed, An Evolution of Faxwatch. The staff of medical writers at VerusMed independently summarize and abstract the most current articles on subjects in multiple sclerosis from the major peer-reviewed medical publications, such as Annals of Neurology, JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of Neurology. In all cases, VerusMed cites the original source of its material.