Bladder management and the functional outcome of elderly ischemic stroke patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate how bladder management, rather than urinary incontinence, may affect the functional outcome of ischemic stroke patients. We studied 919 consecutive patients admitted for ischemic stroke rehabilitation. Level of bladder management was determined by Functional Independence Measurement (FIM TM) sub-scale scores relevant to bladder control. FIM scores less than 5 points was determined as low-bladder management score (Low-BMS) while FIM scores greater than 5 was determined as high-bladder management score (High-BMS). Data were analyzed by t-test, Pearson correlation, and chi-square test as well as by multiple linear regression analysis. There were 594 low-bladder score patients (Low-BMS) and 325 high-bladder score patients (High-BMS), at admission. Compared with High-BMS, Low-BMS patients were slightly older (p = 0.002), had longer rehabilitation stays (p < 0.001) and lower mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores (p < 0.001). Total FIM at admission and discharge were lower in Low-BMS, yet their total FIM gain upon discharge was higher, compared with High-BMS (19.5 ± 16.46 vs. 17.59 ± 12.55, p = 0.07). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that total FIM at discharge was inversely associated with Low-BMS at admission (beta = −0.407; p < 0.001) and age (beta = −0.127; p < 0.001). A high MMSE score (beta = 0.334; p < 0.001) emerged as predicting higher total FIM scores upon discharge. Low-BMS was independently predictive for total FIM gain at discharge (beta = 0.166; p < 0.001). The findings suggest that Low-BMS should be held as adversely affecting the rehabilitation outcomes of elderly stroke patients. However, Low-BMS patients do obtain significant gains and should not be deprived of rehabilitation.