AIMS: The aims of this study were primarily to investigate the prevalence, severity and impact on daily life of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in a clinical sample of stroke patients and secondly to identify factors associated with LUTS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, hospital based survey whereby stroke patients were invited by letter to complete The Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) questionnaire at least 1 month following their stroke. Subjects were asked to report the frequency and severity of their symptoms (symptom score) and the impact of each symptom on their daily life (bother score) over the previous fortnight. Of 519 stroke patients invited, 482 subjects were eligible.

RESULTS: The response rate was 84%. The period prevalence of at least one symptom was 94%; the most frequent symptom was nocturia (76%) followed by urgency (70%) and daytime frequency (59%). The most severe symptom was urgency followed by nocturia and daytime frequency. Among respondents who had at least one symptom, the prevalence of bother was 78%. Likewise the most frequent bothersome symptom was nocturia (53%), followed by urgency (48%) and daytime frequency (40%). Paresis in legs, symptoms of urinary incontinence on admission, and use of analgesics were significantly associated with severity, whereas the prevalence and bother of LUTS could not be associated with other patient characteristics.

CONCLUSION: LUTS are highly prevalent in stroke patients and have a major impact on daily life.