Parity as a factor in incontinence in multiple sclerosis
M. Swash, S. J. Snooks and D. H. Chalmers
Twelve consecutively selected patients with multiple sclerosis and
incontinence had electrophysiologic studies performed of the pudendal and
perineal innervations of the anal and urinary sphincter. Single-fiber
electromyogram density measurements were obtained in the external anal
sphincter. Fecal incontinence was found to be unexpectedly frequent. The
results suggest that incontinence in patients with multiple sclerosis is
often due to the interaction of several factors, including central lesions,
lesions of the conus medullaris and, also, coincidental pelvic nerve
lesions associated with childbirth. Thus, incontinence is especially a
problem in women with this disease.
