Indwelling catheter use in home care: elderly, aged 65+, in 11 different countries in Europe

To describe possible differences/patterns in the use of indwelling urinary catheters (IUC) in Europe.

A prospective, population-based, assessment study.

The target population was 4,455 (random sample of 405 from each of 11 countries) aged 65+ receiving home care.

The clients were assessed by using the Resident Assessment Instrument MDS-HC; epidemiological and medical characteristics of clients and service utilisation were recorded.

The frequency of use of IUC related to the patients' activities of daily living (ADL) and cognitive functioning.

The sample consisted of 4,010 informants: 74% female, with mean age 82.3 +/-7.3 years; men 80.9 +/-7.5 years and female 82.8 +/-7.3 years. A total of 216 (5.4%) clients were using IUC. In Italy 23% were using a catheter compared with 0% in The Netherlands. Catheter use was more common in men than in women (11.5% versus 3.3%). Use of IUC was significantly correlated to certain diseases and symptoms and increase in care burden and formal services. Twenty-six per cent of the informants with indwelling catheters scored three or more on a hierarchical ADL scale (0-6). The clients using IUC in the Nordic countries were less dependent on care than in the other European countries. Models built on multivariate analysis explained 37% of the use of IUC. Tradition and attitudes may explain the differences between the sites.

Catheter use is associated with formal or family care burden. The need for nursing home placement ought to be considered in some cases. A stricter criterion for using IUC may be considered in the southern European countries.