Saint S, et al. - The incidence of infectious and noninfectious patient-reported complications correlated with the indwelling urethral catheter was determined in this prospective cohort study. Researchers reported that noninfectious complications of urethral catheters affect a substantial number of patients, emphasizing the importance of avoiding urethral catheterization whenever possible. Findings suggested that not only infectious complications but also the noninfectious complications associated with these catheters as key areas of possible harms should be considered and thus vital targets for future prevention efforts.

Methods

• It was a prospective cohort study.
• Study participants were consecutive subjects with placement of a new indwelling urethral catheter while hospitalized at 1 of 4 US hospitals in 2 states.
• From August 26, 2015, to August 18, 2017, participants were assessed at baseline and contacted at 14 days and 30 days after insertion of the catheter about complications correlated with the indwelling urethral catheter and how catheterization affected their social activities or activities of daily living.
• Indwelling urethral catheter placement during hospitalization was the main exposures.
• Subjects were selected within 3 days of catheter insertion and followed up for 30 days after catheter placement, whether the catheter remained in or was removed from the patient.
• Infectious and noninfectious complications associated with an indwelling urethral catheter as well as how the catheter affected patient social activities or activities of daily living were the main outcomes and measures.

Results

• According to the findings obtained, out of 2967 eligible subjects, 2227 (75.1%) consented to take an interest at 1 of 4 study sites.
• Two thousand, seventy-six total patients were evaluated.
• Of these, 71.4% were male; mean (SD) age was 60.8 (13.4) years.
• Data reported that most patients (1653 of 2076 [79.6%]) had short-term catheters placed for surgical procedures.
• One thousand, one hundred eighty-four of 2076 patients (57.0%; 95% CI, 54.9%-59.2%) reported at least 1 complication due to the indwelling urethral catheter during the 30 days after urethral catheter insertion.
• Findings revealed that infectious complications were reported by 219 of 2076 patients (10.5%; 95% CI, 9.3%-12.0%), whereas noninfectious complications (eg, pain or discomfort, blood in the urine, or sense of urinary urgency) occurred in 1150 subjects (55.4%; 95% CI, 53.2%-57.6%) (P < .001).
• Women were more likely to report an infectious complication (92 of 594 [15.5%] women vs 127 of 1482 [8.6%] men; P < .001).
• On the other hand, men were more likely to report a noninfectious complication (869 of 1482 [58.6%] men vs 281 of 594 [47.3%] women; P < .001).
• Restrictions in activities of daily living (49 of 124 patients [39.5%]) or social activity (54 of 124 [43.9%]) were commonly reported by the patients who had catheters still in place.
• Sexual problems were reported by 99 of 2034 subjects (4.9%) after their catheter was removed.