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).