Voiding Symptoms and Bladder Function Following CVA: A Prospective Time Course Study

Abstract

This is the first prospective study evaluating both urinary complaints and bladder physiology following acute cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). Consecutive patients with acute CVAs were entered into this study. Voiding histories and urodynamics were performed 1–2 weeks post-CVA, 1–2 months post-CVA, 4–10 months post-CVA, and 5 months later (9–15 months post-CVA). Previous studies have focused on urinary incontinence and reported that this problem resolves in the majority of patients. This study also found that urinary incontinence resolved. However, other urinary complaints, such as urinary frequency and nocturia, which also had a significant adverse impact on the individuals' lifestyle, continued to persist. Urodynamic studies at one year revealed that uninhibited bladder contractions persisted despite resolution of incontinence. There was no obvious relationship between the location of the CVA in the right hemisphere and those who did or did not develop urologic symptoms.