Bladder Management and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis Management

Author(s):

Ahmed Zayed Obeidat, MD, PhD,Riley Bove, MD

Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD, Riley Bove, MD, Stephen Krieger, MD, and Erin Longbrake, MD, PhD, talk about the importance of monitoring bladder dysfunction symptoms in MS care.

EP: 1.Multiple Sclerosis Disease Course and Classification

EP: 2.Defining the Utility of PIRA in Practice

EP: 3.Addressing Inflammation Upon the Diagnosis of MS

EP: 4.Multiple Sclerosis Onset and Age-Related Factors That Shape Treatment Approaches

EP: 5.Shared Decision-Making in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

EP: 6.Clinical Trial Design and Personalized Medicine in Multiple Sclerosis

EP: 7.Customizing Treatment Approaches With High Efficacy Therapies

EP: 8.When to Stop Multiple Sclerosis Therapy

EP: 9.Immunological Phenotypes of Multiple Sclerosis and Patient Race

EP: 10.Pregnancy and Lactation in Multiple Sclerosis

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EP: 11.Bladder Management and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis Management

EP: 12.The Importance of Lifestyle Changes in Multiple Sclerosis Care

EP: 13.Anti-CD20 Therapies for MS

EP: 14.Talking to Patients with Multiple Sclerosis About Anti-CD20 Therapies

EP: 15.Safety of Anti-CD20 Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

EP: 16.Open-Label Data vs Real-World Data for Anti-CD20 Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

EP: 17.Biomarkers for Dosing Multiple Sclerosis Therapies

EP: 18.Future Directions and Takeaways Regarding Anti-CD20 Therapies in MS

This is a video synopsis/summary of a panel discussion involving Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD; Riley Bove, MD; Stephen Krieger, MD; and Erin Longbrake, MD, PhD.

In this discussion, the speaker emphasizes the focus on visible signs of progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), such as ambulation, while overlooking invisible symptoms like bladder dysfunction. This neglect is concerning as these symptoms significantly impact patients' lives. The conversation underscored the importance of considering these "unseen but felt" symptoms, including bladder issues, in treatment decisions.

Bladder problems are pervasive in MS but often underrecognized and undertreated until advanced stages, highlighting a gap in care. The discussion advocated for a shift towards incorporating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into clinical practice to better track these silent symptoms. It stressed the significance of recognizing the impact of symptoms like cognition, spasticity, and bladder dysfunction on patients' daily lives.

The speaker emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to actively solicit information about these symptoms during consultations, avoiding generic questions that may not elicit relevant responses. Additionally, it was suggested that even patients with a normal Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score may have hidden deficits that impact their quality of life, necessitating more thorough assessments.

To address these issues, healthcare providers were encouraged to refer patients for specialized evaluations when needed, such as bladder dysfunction assessments for those with an EDSS of zero. This approach aims to ensure that patients' reported symptoms lead to comprehensive investigations and appropriate interventions, ultimately improving their overall care and quality of life.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by NeurologyLive editorial staff.