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The UriCath study: characterization of the use of indwelling urinary catheters among hospitalized older patients in the Internal Medicine Departments of Portugal

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Key summary points

AbstractSection Aim

To describe the prevalence, indications, and complications of indwelling urinary catheters use in Portuguese older inpatients.

AbstractSection Findings

UriCath is the first Portuguese multicentric study including a high number of public hospitals, addressing the use of indwelling urinary catheter in older inpatients. Indwelling urinary catheter use among older inpatients is prevalent and often inappropriate.

AbstractSection Message

The results of UriCath will highlight the importance of rethinking the use of indwelling urinary catheter and the need to improve geriatric skills.

Abstract

Purpose

Approximately 25% of older inpatients have an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC), 45–54% unnecessarily. This study aims to describe the prevalence, indications, and complications of IUC use in Portuguese older inpatients.

Methods

Multicentric, cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Portuguese internal medicine wards (UriCath).

Results

Of a total of 3135 inpatients from 39 hospitals, we included 628 patients with 65 years old or more using an IUC, mean age 82.0 ± 7.5. Prevalence of IUC use was 20.0%. The average Barthel Index was 44.0 ± 37.3 and Charlson comorbidity Index was 7.0 ± 2.8. The main reasons for IUC use were: urinary output monitoring (47.5%), urinary retention (22.5%), and pressure ulcers (11.0%). The IUC removal was attempted in 9.1% and 24.7% developed a complication.

Conclusion

IUC use among older inpatients is prevalent and often inappropriate. Clinical awareness and development guidelines for restricted use of IUC are essential to reduce morbimortality and healthcare costs.

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Acknowledgements

The researchers are indebted to all co-investigators nominated by the Portuguese Young Internists (part of the Portuguese Society of IM), who contributed to the data collection process. [Ana Batista; Ana Bernardo; Ana Carvalho; Ana Ferreira; Ana Goes; Ana Oliveira; Ana Pacheco; Ana Pinho; Ana Pires; Ana Ponciano; Ana Rocha; Ana Sá; Ana Silva; Ana Soares; Ana Terra; André Alexandre; André Santos; Andrea Castanheira; Andreia Diegues; Catarina Nóbrega; Cristina Gouveia; Daniela Meireles; Daniela Neto; Daniela Viana; Diana Ferrão; Dulce Bonifácio; Elsa Meireles; Fani Ribeiro; Filipa Cardoso; Filipa Pereira; Filipa Silva; Francelino Ferreira; Gabriel Atanásio; Giovana Ennis; Guiomar Pinheiro; Hugo Inácio; Inês Carvalho; Inês Mendes; Inês Rato; Isabel Cruz; Isabel Freitas; Ivo Castro; Jéssica Chaves; Joana Antunes; Joana Caires; Joana Couto; Joana Cunha; Joana Lima; Joana Monteiro; Joana Rua; João Costelha; João Frutuoso; João Rodrigues; José Cardoso; José Carvalho; Luís Teles; Madalena Paulino; Margarida Madeira; Maria Ávila; Maria Matos; Maria Quaresma; Mariana Magalhães; Marília Silva; Mário Ferraz; Marta Marques; Marta Pereira; Miguel Teles; Pedro Magalhães; Pedro Pinto; Pedro Salvador; Pedro Tavares; Rafael Oliveira; Renato Nogueira; Rita Grácio; Rita Martins; Salomé Marques; Sara Sarmento; Teresa Tavares; Tiago Costa; Valentina Tosatto; Vanda Conceição; Vanessa Barcelos; Vera Seara].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Baixo Vouga Hospital Center, Aveiro, Portugal

    Paulo Almeida & Ana Araújo

  2. Lisboa Ocidental Hospital Center, Lisbon, Portugal

    Sofia Duque

  3. Hospital da Luz Arrábida, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

    Andreia Vilas-Boas

  4. Tondela Viseu Hospital Center, Viseu, Portugal

    António Novais

  5. Lisboa Central Hospital Center, Lisbon, Portugal

    Heidi Gruner

  6. Hospital CUF Descobertas, Lisbon, Portugal

    João Gorjão Clara

Authors
  1. Paulo Almeida
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  2. Sofia Duque
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  3. Ana Araújo
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  4. Andreia Vilas-Boas
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  5. António Novais
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  6. Heidi Gruner
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  7. João Gorjão Clara
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paulo Almeida.

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The survey did not involve any intervention with human or animal participants. We designed an observational, cross-sectional study following the guidelines of good clinical practice in accordance with the ethical standards of the regional ethics committee of the 39 hospitals involved in our study. According with Portuguese law, this study is included in the special situations that are excused to obtain consent for the collection and analysis. For privacy, protection data were anonymized.

Informed consent

According with Portuguese law, for this type of study, informed consent is not required.

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Almeida, P., Duque, S., Araújo, A. et al. The UriCath study: characterization of the use of indwelling urinary catheters among hospitalized older patients in the Internal Medicine Departments of Portugal. Eur Geriatr Med 11, 511–515 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-020-00299-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-020-00299-x

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