Incontinence, Neglect Syndrome and Emotional Status in Ischemic Stroke Patients and Relation With Lateralization and Functional Independency

Abstract

Stroke is characterized by the sudden loss of blood circulation of the brain. Various studies suggested that age, gender, severity of the stroke, urinary incontinence, impairment in cognitive function, unilateral neglect syndrome are the most determining factors effecting the outcomes of stroke. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of urinary and fecal incontinence and neglect syndrome, anxiety, depression status level and also the relation of them with lateralization and functional independency. In this study 44 stroke patients in neurology in-patient clinic were examined for motor limitation, anxiety and depression levels, neglect syndrome, urinary and fecal incontinence. Functional independency level was measured with Barthel Index, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Rankin scales, anxiety level was evaluated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) 1 and 2 and depressive symptom severity was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Neglect syndrome was evaluated by subscale of NIHSS, urinary incontinence was assessed by clinical observations and the information from the relatives. Frequency of fecal and urinary incontinence, neglect syndrome and BDI scores were higher in left hemiparesia than in right hemiparesia (p =0.004, p =0.02, p=0.02, p<0.001, respectively). STAI 2 was negatively correlated with Barthel Index and positively correlated with Rankin and NIHSS scores (r=-0.663, p<0.001; r=0.664, p<0.001; r=05.28, p=0.008; respectively). Our findings indicated that the incidence of urinary and fecal incontinence were higher in left hemiparesia than in right hemiparesia. Our findings shows that neglect syndrome, frequency of incontinence, and depression level were higher in right hemiparesia than in left hemiparesia. Functional independency level was lower in patients having incontinence and anxiety.