Is well-being associated with lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with stroke?

This study aimed to assess self-reported well-being in a clinical sample of stroke patients and to identify possible associations with prevalence, severity and bother of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

A cross-sectional, clinical survey was initiated whereby stroke patients were invited to complete The WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and a LUTS instrument, the Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) questionnaire. Of 519 stroke patients invited, 482 subjects were eligible and 407 (84%) respondents answered the questionnaires.

Poor well-being (sum score <13) was reported by 22% of all stroke patients, for women 29% and for men 14%. Depression (sum score <8) was reported by 10%, for women 11% and for men 8%. Poor well-being was significantly (p < 0.01) associated with severity and bother of LUTS. Likewise, poor well-being was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with the prevalence of four different symptom groups of LUTS.

The results indicate that poor well-being is present in stroke patients with LUTS, especially in women. Likewise, the data showed significant association between poor well-being and LUTS. Screening for well-being and LUTS in stroke patients is strongly recommended.