A comparison of characteristics of patients with completed stroke: those who achieve continence and those who do not

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the demographic, neurologic, and cognitive characteristics of patients with completed stroke who participated in a behavioral management program for urinary incontinence. The study sought to determine the differences between those patients who achieved continence by the time of discharge from the program and those who did not. A retrospective chart review that used the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores identified 75 subjects with urinary incontinence at the time of admission. Forty-two study subjects achieved continence after participating in a rehabilitation and bladder management program. Thirty-three study subjects remained incontinent despite participation in a rehabilitation and bladder management program. Incontinent subjects had more difficulty with orientation to time, memory, and problem solving. These areas of cognitive function appear to have a direct impact on the ability of the person with stroke to achieve continence.