Outcomes comparison of hydrophilic and non-hydrophilic catheters for patients with intermittent catheterization: An updated meta-analysis

Urinary Catheters: Materials, Coatings, and Recommendations for Selection

Urinary catheters have been used for more than 3000 years, although materials have changed from wood to silver to rubber. Research continues to try and find the optimal catheter materials, which improve safety and quality of life. Advantages when comparing newer catheter materials are not always obvious but catheters coated with a hydrophilic layer may reduce urethral trauma and the incidence of urinary tract infections. However, extrapolation of the data is limited by lack of end-point standardization and heterogenous populations.

A scoping review on the impact of hydrophilic versus non-hydrophilic intermittent catheters on UTI, QoL, satisfaction, preference, and other outcomes in neurogenic and non-neurogenic patients suffering from urinary retention

Background

For patients suffering from urinary retention due to neurogenic [e.g., spinal cord injury (SCI), spina bifida (SB), multiple sclerosis (MS)] or non-neurogenic [e.g., cancer, benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH)] causes, intermittent catheterization is the primary choice for bladder emptying. This scoping review compared hydrophilic-coated intermittent catheters (HCICs) with non-hydrophilic (uncoated) catheters in neurogenic and non-neurogenic patients with respect to satisfaction, preference, adverse events, urinary tract infection (UTI), quality of life (QoL), cost effectiveness, pain, and discomfort.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Embase, and available clinical practice guidelines and was limited to systematic reviews/meta-analysis and clinical studies (randomized trials, cohort and case–control studies) published in English between 2000 and 2020. A narrative synthesis was performed, comparing HCIC with non-hydrophilic catheters in each pathology. The articles where critically appraised and weighted according to their level of evidence based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence grading.

Results

Thirty seven original articles and 40 reviews were included. The comparison of HCICs versus non-hydrophilic catheters was well-documented in patients with mixed pathology, SCI, and to some extent SB. The available evidence predominantly indicates better outcomes with HCICs as reported by study authors, particularly, greater UTI reduction and improved satisfaction, cost-effectiveness, and QoL. However, SB studies in children did not report reduction in UTIs. Children complained about slippery catheters, indicating possible touching of the surface during insertion, which may compromise cleanliness of the procedure and affect outcomes such as UTI. Limited studies were available exclusively on BPH and none on MS; however, most studies performed on mixed pathologies, including BPH and MS, indicated strong preference for HCICs compared to non-hydrophilic catheters.

Conclusions

The findings generally support HCICs over non-hydrophilic catheters; however, most studies were fairly small, often used a mix of pathologies, and the conclusions were often based on studies with high drop-out rates that were therefore underpowered. Larger studies are needed to support the general finding that HCICs are the preferred choice in most populations. Additional training in children or redesigned catheters may be necessary for this age-group to fully benefit from the advantages of HCICs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12894-022-01102-8.

Effects of hydrophilic coated catheters on urethral trauma, microtrauma and adverse events with intermittent catheterization in patients with bladder dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Hydrophilic coated catheters are recommended to reduce the side effects of intermittent catheterization (IC) in patients with bladder dysfunction. However, there is lack of Level one evidence to support the use of this intervention.

Search methods

Several electronic databases were systematically searched to evaluate complication incidences for hydrophilic coated (HC) and non-hydrophilic catheters (NHC).

Results

Twelve studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. The meta-analyses exploring microscopic hematuria frequencies (RR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.52–0.90) and urethral stricture frequencies (RR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.13–0.60) showed a lower risk ratio associated with HC in comparison to NHC, whereas gross hematuria was no statistically significant difference in two groups. Subgroup analyses of gross hematuria which was grouped according to "catheterization frequency", "single/multiple catheterization" and "self/other catheterization” were performed and the values of combined RR were also no statistically significant difference.

Conclusions

Compared with non-hydrophilic catheters, the hydrophilic coated catheters have positive significance in reducing the incidence of urethral microtrauma and the urethral stricture. However, more studies are warranted for evaluating effects of hydrophilic coated catheters on the incidence of gross hematuria.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11255-022-03172-x.

THE SATISFACTION OF THE PERSON WITH URINARY RETENTION IN THE USE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF URINARY CATHETERS

Objective: to assess the satisfaction of the person with urinary retention in the face of the use of different types of urinary catheters, as well as to compare and analyze different attributes of these after their use in clean intermittent catheterization (CIC). Method: descriptive exploratory cross-sectional study, developed in a reference clinic in the state of São Paulo, from February to March 2020. The sample consisted of 32 adults registered in the service, and who adopted the CIC as a form of bladder emptying . Data collection was performed through individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics and categorization of responses to open questions. Results: of the 32 users, 84% were male, with a mean age of 54.16 years, 81% performed the procedure between 1 and 5 years, with a frequency of 4 to 6 times a day (66%). Most respondents (73%) preferred the hydrophilic-coated polyurethane catheter, converging with the percentage of users satisfied with the same catheter. Conclusion: the most satisfying technology is the hydrophiliccoated polyurethane catheter due to several attributes such as lubrication, firmness, packaging, urethral slip, handling, rapid urine clearance and comfort

A SATISFAÇÃO DA PESSOA COM RETENÇÃO URINÁRIA NO USO DE DIFERENTES TIPOS DE CATETERES VESICAIS

Objetivo:avaliar a satisfação da pessoa com retenção urinária diante do uso de diferentes tipos de cateteres vesicais bem como comparar e analisar diferentes atributos desses após a sua utilização no cateterismo intermitente limpo (CIL). Método: estudo exploratório descritivo de corte transversal, desenvolvido em um ambulatório de referência do estado de São Paulo, no período de fevereiro a março de 2020. A amostra constituiu-se de 32 adultos cadastrados no serviço, e que adotavam o CIL como forma de esvaziamento vesical. A coleta de dados foi realizada por entrevista individual com a utilização de um questionário semiestruturado. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva, inferencial e categorização das respostas para as questões abertas. Resultados: dos 32 usuários, 84% eram do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 54,16 anos, 81% realizavam o procedimento entre 1 a 5 anos, com frequência de 4 a 6 vezes ao dia (66%). A maioria dos entrevistados (73%) preferiu o cateter de poliuretano com revestimento hidrofílico, convergindo com o percentual de usuários satisfeitos com o mesmo cateter. Conclusão: a tecnologia com maior satisfação é o cateter de poliuretano com revestimento hidrofílico devido a diversos atributos, como lubrificação, firmeza, embalagem, deslizamento na uretra, manipulação, eliminação rápida da urina e conforto