In recent decades, the use of urinary catheters in the Netherlands has increased substantially, and with the aging population, it is expected that this trend will continue to rise.(1, 2) To improve the standard of care and patient satisfaction, it is important to know more about the catheter users in the Netherlands and their perspective on urinary catheters. The objective of this study was to identify the patient satisfaction and the quality of life (QoL) in long-term (>6 months) urinary catheter users in the Netherlands.

A nationwide survey study was conducted from August to September 2024. Patients who apply clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), have an urethral indwelling catheter (IDC), or a suprapubic catheter (SPC), were identified through the MediReva database, a Dutch medical supplier. The survey was developed during a structured consensus meeting by the research team and consisted of the ICIq-LTCqol,  the EQ-5D-5L, and a self-made questionnaire about catheter-related complications.

3320 patients participated in the study (response rate 33%). 2634 performed CIC, 383 had an IDC, and 303 had an SPC. 75.9% was male and the mean age was 72 years. CIC patients reported the highest patient satisfaction and QoL scores. Thereby they reported the lowest incidence of hematuria and bladder stones, there was no difference in UTI incidence in the last 6 months between the groups. When corrected for multiple confounders IDC and SPC were independently associated with lower patient satisfaction and QoL scores.

This study shows differences in patient satisfaction, QoL and, catheter-related complications between three types of catheterization. IDC and SPC are related with lower patients satisfaction, lower (perceived) QoL and higher catheter-related complications. Therefore, CIC is strongly preferred over IDC and SPC, if the patient is able to perform CIC.

Healthcare providers should be aware of the impact of bladder drainage methods on the patient satisfaction and QoL, especially for those using an IDC or SPC. This information can be of added value in the decision-making process of long-term bladder management.

Berendsen SA, van Doorn T, Blok BFM. Trends in the use and costs of intermittent urinary catheters in the Netherlands from 1997 to 2018: A population-based observational study. Neurourol Urodyn. 2021;40(3):876-82.
Europe Urinary Catheters Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Indwelling Catheters, Intermittent Catheters, and External Catheters), By Application (Urinary Incontinence, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Surgery, and Others), By Gender (Male and Female), By End-user (Hospitals, Age Care Centers, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030.  [Available from: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/europe-urinary-catheters-market-101442.