Background: Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is defined as the repetitive temporary placement of a catheter to empty the bladder. It has become the first-line and preferred method of drainage in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.
Aim: We investigated the use of CIC in the real-life setting in Italy.
Methods: We administered interviews to health operators of centers for urinary rehabilitation.
Results: Overall, 110 healthcare professionals were invited to fill the questionnaire and 109 (72% males) answered it. Answers to the questionnaire showed that 65.2% of patients with urinary retention used CIC, 22.3% used a transurethral indwelling catheter, and 5.5% used a suprapubic catheter; 6.3% of patients used CIC during the daytime and used the indwelling catheter during the night. The most relevant factor, pertaining the patient, to decide to propose the use of CIC was manual ability, followed by good cognitive function, adequate anatomical condition, age, available adequate caregiver, psychological consistency and good socio-cultural level. Lubrification, usability and easy insertion were the most relevant characteristics of a catheter that favored the choice of the device for CIC. In addition, in the opinion of interviewed operators, the line of catheters with glycerin-water based lubrification had the main characteristics to be preferred for CIC.
Conclusions: CIC is a preferential intervention for urinary retention in the clinical practice in Italy, is chosen on the basis of patient's characteristics, and lubrification, usability and easy insertion are the most important features of catheters.