title: Success rates for learning intermittent self-catheterisation according to age and gender.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Voiding dysfunction becomes increasingly prevalent with ageing. Clean intermittent self-catheterisation (ISC) is associated with a lower morbidity than indwelling transurethral or suprapubic catheterisation. However, doctors and patients sometimes fail to consider ISC as an option because of a perception it will be unmanageable or poorly tolerated. This study aimed to determine how age and gender affect the success rates of patients being taught ISC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six years retrospective study (January 2004-January 2010) of non-neurogenic patients referred to be taught ISC by urology specialist nurses in a tertiary referral hospital. Patients were sent information about ISC in advance of their appointment, were given additional information at the appointment, received training under supervision and had access to follow-on support. Successful patients were those who continued to perform the technique independently at 6-week follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and nine patients (209 men, 100 women) with a mean age of 63 years (range 17-95 years) were taught ISC during the study period and had documented follow-up. The main reasons for needing ISC were incomplete bladder emptying (46%), urethral stricture disease (20%) and inability to void (18%). The overall ISC success rate was 84% for all age groups, 86% for patients under the age of 65 and 82% for those aged 65 years and over. Men had a higher success rate than women (88 and 76%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older patients can successfully be taught ISC in a high proportion, and it can be offered as an alternative to an indwelling catheter irrespective of age.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Urological Institute, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK. brianaparsons@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Narshi
authors.forename: Marcus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Drake
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult