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

Abstract

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. Multicentric, cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Portuguese internal medicine wards (UriCath). Of a total of 3135 inpatients from 39 hospitals, we included 628 patients with 65years 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. 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.