Gait function is associated with urinary retention outcomes in hospitalized older patients

Acute urinary retention in older patients is a major problem that prolongs hospitalization and requires appropriate management. We investigated whether gait function is associated with the resolution of urinary retention in hospitalized patients treated with catheterization to determine its association with urinary retention.

Patients with post-void residual (PVR) urine of ≥200 mL were treated with intermittent catheterization, medication, and physical rehabilitation, while their gait function was assessed between January and December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to their voiding status after treatment: voluntary voiding with PVR urine of <200 mL or continued catheterization. Variables potentially associated with voiding function, including age, sex, bladder outlet obstruction, neurological disorders, comorbidities, medication use, and gait function (walker or non-walker), were compared between the groups.

We analyzed data from 104 patients (62 men, 42 women; median age 78 years, range, 60-95 years). Voluntary voiding with PVR urine of <200 mL was achieved by 64 (62%) patients. Before treatment, 55 (53%) patients were non-walkers. The patients who became walkers after treatment were 13 of 22 (59%) in the voiding group and 2 of 33 (6%) in the catheterization group. Multivariate analysis showed that gait function, but not age, was significantly associated with post-treatment voiding function. Among pretreatment non-walkers, the number of post-treatment walkers was significantly greater in the voluntary voiding group than in the catheterization group [n=13 (59%), P<0.001].

Gait function is associated with voiding outcomes, suggesting that physical rehabilitation to improve mobility may facilitate recovery from acute urinary retention in hospitalized older adults.