Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis(LETM). Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as voiding dysfuntion are disturbing in LETM patients and has not been studied in this specific population. Objective: Evaluate the LUTS and urodynamic findings in women with NMO. Methods: 13 women that fulfilled Wingerchuk’s criteria for NMO were assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), NMO IgG status, presence of LUTS, Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS), Overactive Bladder V8 (OAB V8) questionnaires. Results: Mean age was:41.5 (range 22-70), mean duration of disease: 3,35 years (range 0,5-11), mean EDSS score: 5.3 (range 1- 8). NMO IgG Status was positive in 10 patients and was not correlated with severity of urinary symptoms. The most common urinary complaints were incomplete emptying in 8 (61.5%) patients and urodynamic alterations was detrusor overactivity (DO) with sphincteric dyssinergia (DESD) in 5 (38.5%). Three (23.1 %) patients used diapers. The mean BFLUTS score was 26.5 (range 3 – 64), the mean OAB V8 score was 16.0(range 0-40).Voiding dysfunction increased with disease duration and degree of neurological impairment (Spearman`s rho = 0.663, p = 0.013; r= -0,583, p= 0.036, respectively). Conclusions: Women with NMO have a high prevalence of LUTS, with DESD and DO as the main urodynamic findings. The severity of the neurological disease is associated with a higher chance of voiding dysfunction unregard of NMO IgG status.
Read More: Urinary tract dysfunction in women with neuromyelitis optica