Hydrophilic-coated catheters for intermittent catheterisation reduce urethral micro trauma: a prospective, randomised, participant-blinded, crossover study of three different types of catheters.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two hydrophilic-coated (SpeediCath and LoFric and one uncoated gel-lubricated catheter (InCare Advance Plus) concerning withdrawal friction force and urethral micro trauma.


METHODS
49 healthy male volunteers participated in this prospective, randomised, blinded, crossover study of three different bladder catheters. The withdrawal friction force was measured, and urine analysis of blood, nitrite and leucocytes, microbiological analysis of urine cultures and subjective evaluation of the catheters were performed.


RESULTS
40 participants completed the study and were included in the analysis. SpeediCath exerted a significantly lower mean withdrawal friction force and work than the gel-lubricated uncoated catheter, whereas LoFric exerted a significantly higher mean friction force than both of the other catheters. The hydrophilic catheters caused less microscopic haematuria and less pain than the gel-lubricated uncoated catheter. Furthermore, 93% of the participants preferred the hydrophilic catheters.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydrophilic-coated catheters perform better than uncoated catheters with regard to haematuria and preference. SpeediCath, but not LoFric, exerts less withdrawal friction force than InCare Advance Plus.
Stensballe
J
J
Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. jakob.stensballe@rh.hosp.dk
Looms
D
D
Nielsen
P N
PN
Tvede
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002404:Catheterization; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D017276:Friction; D006417:Hematuria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014521:Urethra / Q000293:injuries*; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D010577:Petrolatum