Decreasing frequency pattern in patients with clean intermittent catheterization for bladder voiding dysfunction

To evaluate usefulness and morbidity of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) using a decreasing pattern in patients with bladder voiding dysfunction (BVD) of varied etiology.

We performed a retrospective study of patients with BVD in whom CIC was indicated. We evaluated the clinical presentation, post-void residual urine (PVR), results of the urodynamic studies (UDS), and response to CIC in a decreasing pattern, complications espeand patient adherence. The primary endpoint was a favorable response to CIC in a decreasing frequency pattern. Secondary endpoints were complications and patient perception of it.

We evaluated a total of 27 patients with BVD. Of these, 15 (56%) were women and 12(44%) were men. Mean age was 54.33 years (32-82) and mean follow-up time was 23.5 months (2-66). The mean catheterized volume and the number of catheterizations decreased in all groups of patients. 40.7% of all patients did not need to perform catheterization after an average time of 7.38 months. The average time to reach a stable PVR or the lack of it was 9.76 months (0.75 to 63). The only complication recorded were urinary tract infection (UTI) presenting as mild cystitis in 7 patients and orchitis in 2 patients. 70.4% (19/27) responded to the telephone survey. 79% (15/19) said they have had no major difficulty in learning CIC, 52.7% (10/19) said to be continuing CIC, and the mean personal rating was 6/10.

CIC in a decreasing pattern allows almost half of the patients to be totally free from catheterization. The other half reduces significantly the number of catheterizations, with little interference in their daily lives. It is an effective technique, well accepted and well learned by most patients with BVD in a wide range of indications, beyond neurogenic dysfunction.