Turkish Validity and Reliability of the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis, whose prevalence is increasing every year in the world, brings with it many symptoms. Lower urinary tract symptoms develop secondary to demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord and pontine micturition center in the disease pathophysiology commonly seen in Multiple sclerosis and other symptoms seen in Multiple sclerosis (inactivity, fear of movement, etc.). Due to the multifocal and widespread involvement of the CNS, Lower urinary tract symptoms in Multiple sclerosis patients are variable and their severity varies among Multiple sclerosis patients. Lower urinary tract symptoms are divided into 3 groups as storage, voiding and post-voiding symptoms. The rate of urinary complications in Multiple sclerosis patients is significantly higher compared to the general population. Although it is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis , the evaluation of Lower urinary tract symptoms in individuals with Multiple sclerosis is quite limited in the literature. Evaluation of Lower urinary tract symptoms seen in Multiple sclerosis with appropriate assessment tools is important to obtain comprehensive information about the progression of the disease. There are many questionnaires used in the evaluation of Lower urinary tract symptoms. While the International Prostate Symptom Score and the Danish Prostate Symptom Score, which are frequently used for benign prostatic hyperplasia, are used; Overactive Bladder Questionnaire-V8 was developed to evaluate overactive bladder symptoms. However, these questionnaires are also frequently used in the evaluation of Lower urinary tract symptoms. Since the purpose of developing the questionnaires is for different diseases, they are not comprehensive enough for Lower urinary tract symptoms. The Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Score is a questionnaire developed to comprehensively evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms. Although the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Score Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Erbay et al. in 2022, its validity and reliability in Multiple sclerosis patients has not been performed.

Inclusion criteria

• Being between 18-65 years old
• Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis by a specialist
• Being willing to participate in the study
• Being literate

Exclusion criteria

• Not volunteering to participate in the study
• Having a neurological disorder that prevents speech