The effects of sleep-disordered breathing symptoms on voiding patterns in stroke patients

The purpose of this study was to compare voiding patterns after catheter removal between post-stroke individuals with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and those without symptoms of SDB.

Medical records were reviewed for documentation of SDB symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and voiding patterns before and after catheter removal. SDB was based on established criteria for excessive sleepiness used in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Chervin, Aldrich, Pickett, & Guilleminault, 1997). Data on voiding patterns and nocturia were collected for 4 nights after catheter removal. Demographic data, co-morbid conditions, usual hours of sleep, and use of a benzodiazepine medication as a nightly sleep aid were also reviewed. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis were performed to describe the sample, use of nightly sedation, and to compare the incidence of nocturia for 4 consecutive nights after catheter removal in subjects who had SDB symptoms of OSA with those who did not have SDB symptoms of OSA.

Study findings suggest that in post-stroke subjects (a) SDB symptoms of OSA are associated with more episodes of nocturia after evening catheter removal, and (b) use of sedatives for sleep is associated with an increased incidence of nocturia.