title: Patient-perceived discomfort with two coated urinary catheters.
abstract: Intermittent catheterization is now the preferred method for urethral catheterization of the urinary bladder when an indwelling catheter is not required. Nevertheless, the procedure may cause discomfort or pain. This randomized, prospective study was done to compare patient-perceived discomfort between two commonly used hydrophilic, single-use catheters in women. A total of 196 women referred to the urogynaecology section in the outpatient department were randomized to be catheterized with either a LoFric (n=102) or a SpeediCath (n=94) catheter. Both catheters are hydrophilic, low friction, single-use, disposable catheters. Discomfort was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The results showed no difference in degree of patient-perceived discomfort between the two groups. Median score was 0.75 VAS points in both groups, which indicates little discomfort. Half of all the patients stated that they experienced no discomfort at all.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vestfold Hospital, Tønsberg, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne Torine
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Litherland
authors.forename: Hjalmar A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Schiøtz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013499:Surface Properties; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible