The Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A on Overactive Bladder Symptoms in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

PurposePatients with multiple sclerosis often experience overactive bladder symptoms. High dose intradetrusor botulinum toxin A treatment is effective but often results in urinary retention and urinary diversion via a catheter. In this pilot study we evaluated whether only 100 U botulinum toxin A would significantly decrease overactive bladder symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis without impairing pretreatment voluntary voiding.Materials and MethodsIncluded in our study were 12 patients with multiple sclerosis who had overactive bladder symptoms such as urgency, frequency and/or urgency incontinence. The treatment effect was evaluated using data on 3 consecutive visits, that is before, and a mean ± SD of 46.2 ± 11.9 and 101 ± 21 days after intradetrusor injection of 100 U Botox®, including the results of cystometry and uroflowmetry at visits 1 and 2, and uroflowmetry alone at visit 3. Patients completed a 3-day voiding diary for all 3 visits.ResultsMaximum bladder capacity significantly increased and maximum detrusor pressure decreased. Daytime and nighttime frequency, urgency and pad use significantly decreased. Post-void residual volume significantly increased initially but decreased until 12 weeks. Median time to re-injection due to recurrent overactive bladder symptoms was 8 months.ConclusionsOveractive bladder treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis using 100 U Botox intradetrusor injections seems to be effective and safe. Despite slightly impaired detrusor contractility most patients still voided voluntarily without symptoms. Thus, 100 U Botox may be a reasonable treatment option for overactive bladder symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis who still void voluntarily.