Outcomes of drug-resistant urinary retention in patients in the early stage of stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prognosis of patients with stroke and urinary retention resistant to alpha blockers and cholinergic agents.


METHODS
Post-void residual urine volume (PVR) was measured in 33 patients with stroke (14 men and 19 women) who were admitted to the department of rehabilitation medicine of our hospital within 30 days after stroke onset. An alpha-blocker and cholinergic agent were administered to patients with PVR >100 mL. If urinary retention had not improved despite the maximum drug doses, the patient was diagnosed with drug-resistant urinary retention. We retrospectively reviewed patient's charts, including PVR at discharge and prognostic factors for PVR.


RESULTS
Ten patients (30.3%) could not void or their PVR was >400 mL at discharge (45.7±15.4 days after onset) after rehabilitation. Twelve patients (36.4%) could void, and their PVR was 100-400 mL. PVR was consistently <100 mL in 11 patients (33.3%). These measurements correlated with the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index score, Functional Ambulation Category, and the presence of a communication disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that 22 patients (66.7%) had incomplete bladder emptying or required catheterization at discharge. Outcomes correlated with functional status, walking ability, and the presence of a communication disorder. Patients with urinary retention and poor general condition require close observation to prevent complications of urinary retention.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae Gyun
TG
Kim
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Min Ho
MH
Chun
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Min Cheol
MC
Chang
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seoyon
S
Yang
Neurogenic urinary bladder; Stroke; Urinary retention