Influence of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction on Functional Status among Ambulant Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Stroke is one of the diseases affecting the nervous system which controls the lower urinary tract. Lower urinary tract dysfunction is a broad term of subjective urinary tract symptoms and may vary according to the course of disease. The presence of Lower urinary tract dysfunction is a negative prognostic indicator for a variety of health and rehabilitation outcomes across the spectrum of care. This study was carried out to find whether severity of lower urinary tract dysfunction has an influence on functional status among ambulant stroke survivors.Methodology: 20 ambulant stroke survivors with the mean age of 68.55±8.02 were evaluated using Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score to assess the severity of lower urinary tract dysfunction and Barthel Index to assess the functional status. Conclusion:This pilot study found weak negative correlation (r=-0.26) between Core lower urinary tract symptom score and functional status; however it was found to be statistically non-significant (p>0.05).