Long-term intermittent catheterization: Safety and outcomes from a prospective observational study.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nephrology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Intermittent catheterization (IC) is a common bladder management strategy.
• Long-term safety and quality of life (QoL) data for experienced adult users are crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term safety, urological complication rates, and QoL associated with urethral IC over a 5-year period.
• To assess outcomes in adult subjects with established, longstanding IC use.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, noninterventional, observational cohort study at three European sites.
• Adults (≥18 years) with ≥6 years of prior urethral IC using LoFric catheters were followed for 5 years.
• Outcomes included symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs), urethral strictures, bladder stones, prostatitis, epididymitis, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and QoL (EQ-5D).

Main Results:

• Ninety-eight participants were enrolled; 49 completed the 5-year follow-up. Median prior IC use was 13 years.
• No significant changes in UTI frequency, other urological complications, or PRO ratings were observed over 5 years.
• Urethral stricture reports increased from 6% to 12% (not significant); QoL (EQ-5D tariff) remained stable (mean 0.86).

Conclusions:

• Continued use of hydrophilic LoFric catheters over 5 years in adults with extensive prior IC experience is associated with stable complication rates.
• The long-term safety of IC as a bladder management strategy is supported by stable QoL and PROs.
• No significant increase in urological complications was noted, reinforcing IC's long-term efficacy.