Background/Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently results in both urinary and sexual dysfunction, which significantly impairs quality of life. Conventional treatments for bladder dysfunction often prove insufficient, leading to the exploration of alternative therapies such as percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). This study aimed to assess the impact of PTNS on sexual function and bladder symptoms in female MS patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Methods: A total of 65 female MS patients with NDO were evaluated and underwent 12 weeks of standardized PTNS treatment. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), while bladder symptoms were evaluated using the OAB-v8 questionnaire. Participants were grouped based on the presence of sexual dysfunction and distress and compared to a control group of 20 patients who declined PTNS. Results: Significant improvements were observed in FSFI scores across multiple domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) in the treatment groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, 58.46% of patients showed positive responses to PTNS regarding overactive bladder symptoms (OAB-v8 score), while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusions: PTNS appears to be an effective therapeutic option for improving sexual function and urinary symptoms in female MS patients with NDO and FSD, offering a promising non-invasive alternative for managing these conditions.
Journal of clinical medicine. 2024 Oct 10*** epublish ***
Athanasios Zachariou, Ioannis Giannakis, Aris Kaltsas, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Charikleia Skentou, Sofoklis Stavros, Anastasios Potiris, Dimitrios Zachariou, Dimitrios Baltogiannis, Cam Hoang Nguyen Phuc, Bou Sopheap, Dung Mai Ba Tien, Nikolaos Sofikitis
Department of Urology, Medical School of Ioannina, University General Hospital, 455 00 Ioannina, Greece., Third Department of Urology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro TR1 3LJ, UK., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School of Ioannina, University General Hospital, 455 00 Ioannina, Greece., Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital ATTIKON, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece., Outpatient Urology Department, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine Centre, 382 22 Volos, Greece., Department of Urology, Binh Dan Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam., Department of Urology, Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital, Phnom Penh 120406, Cambodia., Department of Andrology, Binh Dan Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.