Dr. Kent Sasse co-authored a research paper accepted for publication in the International Journal of MS Care (IJMSC). “Sacral Neuromodulation Therapy for Urinary and Fecal Incontinence in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Report of 6 Cases and Literature Review” is a report on six patients with MS-related incontinence and the treatment effects with sacral neuromodulation.
From the Abstract
“Urinary incontinence (UI) and fecal incontinence (FI) are challenging manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS) that have historically been treated with limited success. Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has provided successful resolution of UI and FI in the general population and in patients with neurologic conditions, including MS.”
Dr. Sasse and his co-author identified six patients after reviewing medical records retrospectively to identify patients with MS seeking treatment for incontinence. Follow-up assessments confirmed the severity of urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence.
“All 6 individuals with MS had severe incontinence that had been refractory to therapies that included medications and pelvic floor physical therapy. Five patients reported severe UI and two patients reported severe FI. Each patient was successfully treated with SNM, with large reductions of incontinence scores and improved quality of life.”
The authors concluded that SNM proved to be an effective treatment for urinary and fecal incontinence in patients with MS. Their findings confirmed other published data reporting on the success of SNM in patients with MS who have incontinence, making this form of treatment one worthy of consideration for patients with both MS and incontinence.
The in-press manuscript has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It appears here in nearly final form.
