Comparison of a microbicidal povidone-iodine gel and a placebo gel as catheter lubricants.

A comparison of povidone-iodine to a placebo gel as urinary catheter lubricants focused on the effects of urethral bacterial counts and on patient comfort. The 50 patients were divided into 2 parallel groups in a single blind study. Both lubricants lowered the bacterial counts, with the reduction achieved by povidone-iodine gel significantly greater than the reduction associated with the placebo (p less than 0.02). The numbers of patients experiencing discomfort from the 2 preparations did not differ nor was there any difference in the degree of discomfort, which was minimal for both groups. No other adverse side effects were reported for either lubricant.