Systematic Review of Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in MS Patients
This qualitative meta-synthesis analyzed 14 studies and identified three main themes regarding bladder and bowel dysfunction in people with MS. These themes include impacts on quality of life, barriers to accessing health care (split into clinician-driven and patient-driven barriers), and strategies for managing symptoms.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Moderate
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
Understanding these themes is crucial for identifying challenges faced by individuals with MS regarding bladder and bowel health, which can inform better health care practices and policy changes.
What this does not prove
The findings highlight the need for further research to enhance educational interventions and to explore the experiences of people with MS across different health care systems.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Systematic review
- Participants / samples
- 14 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not applicable
- Controlled
- Not applicable
- Primary endpoint met
- Not applicable
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-06-08
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Not reported
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceLived Experiences of Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction for People With Multiple Sclerosis and Their Providers: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis. ↗DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2025-070
Supporting passages (11)
study designThis qualitative meta-synthesis included a comprehensive literature search of 3 databases.
subjectsExploring the nuanced, lived experiences of people with MS who have bladder and/or bowel dysfunction is critical to better understanding these challenges.
sample sizeSystematic searches yielded 3664 articles, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria.
findingsThree themes were identified: quality-of-life impacts, barriers to accessing health care (subthemes: clinician-driven access barriers, patient-driven access barriers, opportunities for facilitating access to bladder and/or bowel health care), and symptom management strategies.
limitationsMore research is needed to improve educational interventions, increase access to specialized health care, and understand the perspectives of people with MS and bladder and bowel dysfunction in differing health care systems.
publication datePublication date: 2026-06-08
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
study phaseThis qualitative meta-synthesis included a comprehensive literature search of 3 databases.
randomizedThis qualitative meta-synthesis included a comprehensive literature search of 3 databases.
controlledThis qualitative meta-synthesis included a comprehensive literature search of 3 databases.
primary endpoint metThis qualitative meta-synthesis included a comprehensive literature search of 3 databases.
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