Catheter-associated meatal pressure injuries (CAMPI) in patients with long-term urethral catheters-a cross-sectional study of 200 patients

Indwelling urethral catheters (IDC) are ubiquitous to healthcare settings, and are associated with many familiar risks like haematuria, infections, bladder spasms and stones. However, a less known complication is catheter-associated meatal pressure injury (CAMPI), especially in those with long-term IDCs. The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence, associated features and management of CAMPI in adults with a long-term IDC.

A cross-sectional multi-centre study was undertaken of 200 adults with a long-term IDC across regional south-west Queensland, Australia between June 2019 to June 2021. The prevalence of CAMPI was determined by clinical examination, voluntary surveys completed by participants and documentation in medical records. Key IDC statistics included total duration of IDC, location of IDC changes, IDC size, type and fixation.

Out of 200 adults with a long-term IDC, 9% (18/200) had a CAMPI. There was a higher prevalence of male CAMPI (17/169, 10%) compared to female CAMPI (1/31, 3%). The median time to identification of a CAMPI after initial IDC insertion was 12 weeks (2-136 weeks), but occurred as soon as 2 weeks. CAMPI formation was associated with IDC changes in the community, impaired mobility and congestive cardiac failure (CCF). CAMPI were mostly treated by conservative means given the frailty of the population.

Poor mobility, community-managed IDCs, and CCF were all found to have statistically significant associations with the development of CAMPI. CAMPI represents an important and underserved iatrogenic complication within urology practice, and greater awareness is needed to prevent it in vulnerable patients with long-term IDCs.