Prospective study of the epidemiology of urinary tract infections at short term and mid-term after initiation of intermittent self-catheterisation.

INTRODUCTION

Self-catheterisation (CIsC) is the gold standard treatment for bladder emptying disorders. A frequent complaint of patients undergoing CIsC is urinary tract infection (UTI). However, the epidemiology of UTIs remains poorly documented, particularly in the urological population. The aim of our study was to establish the epidemiology of infectious complications of CIsC.

METHOD

A prospective, descriptive cohort study was carried out on a population educated in CIsC in a urology outpatient department of a university hospital.

RESULTS

From January 1, 2019 to November 15, 2020, 411 patients completed a CIsC education session. Sixty patients could be included and integrated for analysis. The mean age was 58.6±16.3years. Among the patients, 68% had a neurological pathology. The most common bacteria found was Escherichia coli. The incidence of total UTIs within the first 6weeks was 18%. After a mean follow-up of 15±6.5months, the median number of UTIs was 0 [0; 4]. The mean interval between two infectious episodes was 9±6.7months. Only one patient met the criteria for recurrent UTI. Febrile UTIs affected 7% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Self-catheterisation has a low infectious morbidity, occurring mainly in the first few weeks after its introduction.