Lower urinary tract dysfunction in MS: management in the community

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis is common and is highly amenable to treatment. Individuals may have bladder storage and/or voiding dysfunction. The risk of progression to renal failure is low and hence lower urinary tract dysfunction should be considered medically manageable in most individuals. Evaluation begins with history taking and is supplemented by using a bladder diary. Ultrasonography is used to assess the degree of incomplete bladder emptying, and for assessing upper urinary tract damage. Incomplete bladder emptying is most often managed by clean intermittent self-catheterization and should be initiated if post-void residual urine is greater than 100 mls. Storage symptoms are most often managed using antimuscarinic medications. Other options include desmopressin or detrusor muscle injection of botulinum toxin type A. There are specific situations where specialist urology services should be involved.