Is well-being associated with lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with stroke?

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed to assess self-reported well-being in a clinical sample of stroke patients and to identify possible associations with prevalence, severity and bother of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Material and methods. A cross-sectional, clinical survey was initiated whereby stroke patients were invited to complete The WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and a LUTS instrument, the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) questionnaire. Of 519 stroke patients invited, 482 subjects were eligible and 407 (84%) respondents answered the questionnaires. Results. Poor well-being (sum score <13) was reported by 22% of all stroke patients, for women 29% and for men 14%. Depression (sum score <8) was reported by 10%, for women 11% and for men 8%. Poor well-being was significantly (p < 0.01) associated with severity and bother of LUTS. Likewise, poor well-being was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with the prevalence of four different symptom groups of LUTS. Conclusions. The results indicate that poor well-being is present in stroke patients with LUTS, especially in women. Likewise, the data showed significant association between poor well-being and LUTS. Screening for well-being and LUTS in stroke patients is strongly recommended.

Key Words::

• DAN-PSS-1 questionnaire
• LUTS
• stroke
• WHO-5 Well-Being Index

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the stroke patients for their participation. Thanks to the staff at the Department of Neurology and the Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark, for their valuable assistance. This study was supported by the Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark, and a Grant for the Staff with Medium Term Education, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.