The relationship between post stroke urinary incontinence and functional outcome

Abstract EN

Objective: To identify the risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) and compare the functional outcome of continent and incontinent stroke patients, in order to determine if UI has any influence on functional outcome after stroke. Methodology: One hundred patients with stroke, admitted to the hospital, were divided into two groups according to their continence status.

Comparative study was done between incontinent and continent groups.

Both groups were subjected to clinical examination and functional assessment, using the functional independence measure motor scale (M-FIM) on admission, and urodynamic evaluation for incontinent patients.

Functional assessment of both groups and urodynamic evaluation for the incontinence status were repeated six months later.

Results: There was a 52% prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) on admission and 32% at discharge.

20 out of 52 patients became continent.

Predictor risk factors of post-stroke urinary incontinence in this study were age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, transient ischemic attack and previous stroke.

Previous stroke was strong predictor risk factor in the incontinent group of patients.

At six months, compared with group 2, group 1 had greater disability measured by M-FIM scales (median [range] of 31.5(27-42) versus 78(68-85); p< 0.001). Conclusions: UI is a common and distressing problem after stroke and it is a strong predictor of functional outcome.

This study showed that UI on admission had a negative impact on functional outcome at six months.

So, early recognition of the risk factors may assist in rehabilitation management of stroke patient particularly for appropriate treatment setting and improvement of their long-term outcome.