Abstract
Introduction: Patients using indwelling urinary catheters often experience complications that have the potential to negatively impact quality of life. Limited evidence exists to inform and guide urinary catheter management, especially in those with long-term catheters; thus, patient care varies.
Purpose: This study compared the characteristics and quality of life of patients living with a long-term indwelling urinary catheter in the United Kingdom and the United States where catheter care policies differ with respect to types and routes of catheterization and timing of catheter changes. Quality of life was determined by utilizing the International Consultation on Incontinence Long-Term Catheter Quality of Life Ques tionnaire.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of long-term urinary catheter users in the United Kingdom and the United States, male and female, able to speak and read English, age 18 years or older, using a urethral or suprapubic catheter for more than 1 year. Participants completed a questionnaire, and relevant catheter-related data were extracted from their medical records.
Results: Participants (n = 190, 51% from United States) were recruited, largely from the home health setting. Most (n = 136, 71.6%) were male, with a mean age of 72.8 years. The majority used an indwelling urethral catheter, but this varied by country and was more common in the United Kingdom. The number of urinary tract infections and catheter changes was significantly higher in the United States (p < 0.001). The catheter function score was significantly worse in participants from the United Kingdom, but there was no difference in life impact score between countries.
Conclusions: Approaches to indwelling urinary catheter care differed in the two countries, as did catheter complications and some aspects of quality of life. Further analysis will explore how these factors interact.
Purpose: This study compared the characteristics and quality of life of patients living with a long-term indwelling urinary catheter in the United Kingdom and the United States where catheter care policies differ with respect to types and routes of catheterization and timing of catheter changes. Quality of life was determined by utilizing the International Consultation on Incontinence Long-Term Catheter Quality of Life Ques tionnaire.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of long-term urinary catheter users in the United Kingdom and the United States, male and female, able to speak and read English, age 18 years or older, using a urethral or suprapubic catheter for more than 1 year. Participants completed a questionnaire, and relevant catheter-related data were extracted from their medical records.
Results: Participants (n = 190, 51% from United States) were recruited, largely from the home health setting. Most (n = 136, 71.6%) were male, with a mean age of 72.8 years. The majority used an indwelling urethral catheter, but this varied by country and was more common in the United Kingdom. The number of urinary tract infections and catheter changes was significantly higher in the United States (p < 0.001). The catheter function score was significantly worse in participants from the United Kingdom, but there was no difference in life impact score between countries.
Conclusions: Approaches to indwelling urinary catheter care differed in the two countries, as did catheter complications and some aspects of quality of life. Further analysis will explore how these factors interact.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Urologic Nursing |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - 31 Aug 2023 |
Keywords
- home health nurses
- urology
- urethral catheter
- suprapubic catheter
- urinary catheter care