Effect of Catheter Type and Size on Patient Comfort and Complications in Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin and...

To evaluate the impact of catheter type and size on patient-reported pain, anxiety, and adverse events during intravesical therapy.

A total of 200 patients were screened, and 179 were randomized into 4 groups: Foley 12 Fr (n = 31), Foley 8 Fr (n = 60), Nelaton 12 Fr (n = 46), and Nelaton 8 Fr (n = 42). Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), anxiety using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and complications were recorded for 1 week following instillation.

Compared with Foley 8 Fr, pain scores were significantly higher with Nelaton 12 Fr (OR 713.4; 95% CI 231.5-2424.7; P <.001). Male sex was independently associated with increased pain (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.7-8.5; P = .001). Anxiety severity was higher only in the Nelaton 12 Fr group (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.24-5.35; P = .012). There were no statistically significant differences in overall complication rates among the groups.

Catheter type and size significantly influence pain and anxiety during intravesical therapy, with smaller rubber catheters (Foley 8 Fr) providing the most favorable patient experience.