Measuring quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients with urinary disorders using the Qualiveen questionnaire

Objectives: To assess the impact of urinary disorders on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients' health-related quality of life and to examine the cross-sectional construct validity of Qualiveen, a questionnaire originally developed for spinal cord injury patients with urinary disorders, in patients with MS. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Neurourodynamic units in 3 French university hospitals. Participants: Patients with MS (N = 197). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: We tested predictions about the relationships among clinical features, the French version of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life questionnaire (SEP-59), the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the 4 domains of the 30-item Qualiveen. Results: Cross-sectional correlations among the 4 Qualiveen domains and type (range,.36-54), number of symptoms (range,.23-.50), and severity of incontinence (.39-.68) were generally moderate to strong. The SEP-59 bowel and bladder function domain showed moderate to strong relationships with the Qualiveen (range,.39-59). Relationships with other SEP-59 domains were generally weak (range,.22-35), and with the EDSS they were very weak. Predictions proved generally accurate (weighted kappa=.61). Conclusions: Our data supported the Qualiveen's validity as a discriminative instrument for use with patients with MS. Further studies should explore the Qualiveen's longitudinal validity and responsiveness.