Compliance of patients to clean intermittent self-catheterization after spinal cord injury

Abstract

Clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) was for many years considered the most preferable method to drain the bladder in patients with lower urinary tract disfunction. However, concerning long-term CISC, the adherence rate to the method was limited due to complications, psychological barriers, physical disabilities and social disadaptation. According to results of last studies hydrophilic catheters decrease the prevalence of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and urethral trauma. Thereby patients with voiding difficulties after spinal cord injury (SCI) could gain a better quality of life and acceptance of CISC. New coated catheters improved self-catheterisation techniques, personalised management, and better access to help and advice reduced the frequency of side effects. Furthermore, the percentage of unsatisfied patients who rejected the method fell. Consequently, CICS remains the most useable clean technique to drain the bladder regarding neuro-urological patients. Most of physicians have already admitted, that CICS seems to be a safe and easy-to-learn method. In this review we aimed to analyze all pros and cons of CICS relating to patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction after SCI.

Keywords

• intermittent self-catheterization
• intermittent catheterization
• neurogenic bladder
• neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
• bladder emptying, spinal cord injury
• urinary tract infections