Effect of transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on neurogenic overactive bladder symptoms in female patients with multiple sclerosis: The study protocol of a randomized controlled study

The Prevalence and Impact of Urinary Incontinence on Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in demyelination and progressive loss of nerve cells within the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis, as well as other neurological diseases that impact brain structures and spinal pathways involved in sphincter control, may cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) Our aims are to determine the prevalence, severity, and impact on the quality of life of urinary incontinence among MS patients in Taif, Saudi Arabia, as well as its potential association with demographics and clinical features. Method A cross-sectional study included 150 of MS patients aged 18 years and older who completed the validated Arabic versions of both the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF). In addition, other clinical parameters were collected from the medical records of patients. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (IBM Inc., Armonk, New York). Qualitative data were expressed as numbers and percentages, and the Chi-squared test (χ2) was employed. Quantitative data were expressed as means with standard deviation (mean ± SD). Result 67.3% of the participants were female; the mean ICIQ UI and ICIQ OAB scores in these MS patients were found to be 6.30 ± 6.26 and 5.32 ± 3.76, respectively. They were significantly higher in progressive MS patients compared to relapsing-remitting MS patients (p<0.05). There was a high positive correlation obtained between ICIQ UI and ICIQ OAB scores (rho=0.801, p<0.001). Conclusion The findings of this study showed that urinary incontinence was a common and distressing symptom experienced by individuals with MS. The severity of UI symptoms was significantly more in progressive multiple sclerosis compared to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

What Is in the Pipeline on Investigational Neuromodulation Techniques for Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: A Narrative Review

OBJECTIVES

Overactive bladder (OAB) affects millions of patients worldwide. Its treatment is challenging but improves the patient's quality of life. Besides standard techniques for neuromodulation (sacral and pudendal neuromodulation and posterior tibial nerve stimulation), several new techniques have been investigated to treat symptoms of refractory OAB. The purpose of the present review is to outline the state of the art of new neuromodulation techniques for lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In March 2023, a comprehensive MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus search was carried out (keywords: LUTD, new technologies, neuromodulation, LUTS, OAB, painful bladder syndromes, etc). Articles were included according to inclusion (randomized controlled trials, prospective trials, large retrospective studies) and exclusion (case reports, outcomes not clearly expressed in full text, animal studies) criteria. The reference lists of the included studies also were scanned. Both adult and pediatric populations were included, in addition to both neurogenic and nonneurogenic OAB. A narrative review was then performed.

RESULTS

Peroneal neuromodulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, magnetic nerve stimulation, and parasacral transcutaneous neuromodulation are the most studied investigative techniques and were shown to yield promising results in treating OAB symptoms. Most studies showed promising results even in the complex scenarios of patients with OAB refractory to standard treatments. Comparing investigational techniques with standard of care and their respective clinical outcomes and safety profiles, and confronting their pros and cons, we reasonably believe that once such treatment modalities are further developed, they could play a role in the OAB treatment algorithm.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the described neuromodulation techniques are being intensely studied, the available results are not yet sufficient for any guidelines to recommend their use.