Melda SOYSAL TOMRUK, Nevriye ÜNAL SÜZER, Betül SÖYLEMEZ, Murat TERZİ, Baki DOĞAN
İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu Dergisi - 2026;14(1):149-155
Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) experience sensory problems that negatively affect their daily lives. In recent years, In addition to these sensory problems, they have reported a phantom sensation of wetness in different parts of their bodies, although no actual wetness is present. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of phantom wetness among patients with MS residing in the Black Sea Region of Türkiye, and to examine its relationship with disease features. Demographic characteristics of 119 patients (78 females and 41 males; mean age 40.7 +/- 11.6 years; range 19-63 years) were recorded, and whether they had experienced phantom wetness and, if so, how they described it was also assessed. MS type, disease duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and cigarette consumption were noted. The mean EDSS score and diagnosis duration were 1.7+/-1.5 and 9.6+/-5.9 years, respectively. Approximately one-third of the patients (n=45) experienced this symptom, describing it as a stream of fluid leaking downward. Significant differences were observed in smoking status, disability, disease duration, and MS type when comparing participants with MS to those without it (p = 0.018, p = 0.003, p = 0.012, and p = 0.023, respectively). This novel, previously unrecognized sensation adversely affects disease characteristics, worsens disability, and impairs activities of daily living, making its evaluation and treatment essential in patients with MS.
