Urinary symptoms and natural history of urinary continence after first-ever stroke--a longitudinal population-based study.

Background: there are limited population-based data on urinary symptoms and the natural history of urinary incontinence after a first stroke.

Aim: to study the prevalence of urinary symptoms, and the natural history and factors associated with urinary incontinence after first-ever stroke.

Methods: we administered a standardised urinary symptom questionnaire at 3 and 12 months after stroke to patients enrolled in the North-East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study.