Incontinence after brain injury: prevalence, outcome and multidisciplinary management on a neurological rehabilitation unit.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence, outcome and multidisciplinary management of incontinence in patients with acquired brain injury.


METHODS
Retrospective case notes review.


METHODS
Regional neurological rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
Two hundred and thirty-eight patients with acquired brain injury.


METHODS
Bladder and bowel subscores of the Barthel Index and Functional Independence Measure; number of multidisciplinary goals addressing bladder and bowel function.


RESULTS
Fifty per cent of patients (n=112) had impaired bladder or bowel subscores on admission. Significant improvement was seen at discharge but 36% of patients (n=77) still had some degree of impairment. Over 90% of patients were set multidisciplinary goals addressing self-care (n=213) and mobility (n=205) but only 3.5% (n=8) were set multidisciplinary goals addressing bladder and bowel function.


CONCLUSIONS
Incontinence was common in patients with brain injury on a neurological rehabilitation unit. Significant improvement was seen following rehabilitation. Bladder and bowel management was not well incorporated into the multidisciplinary management process.
Leary
S M
SM
Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Homerton University Hospital and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, Queen Square, London, UK. siobhan.leary@uclh.nhs.uk
Liu
C
C
Cheesman
A L
AL
Ritter
A
A
Thompson
S
S
Greenwood
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*