Association Between the Placement of a Double-J Catheter and the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection in Renal Transplantation Recipients: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 1038 Patients

Transplant Proc. 2021 Jul-Aug;53(6):1927-1932. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2021.05.002. Epub 2021 Jul 3.

Abstract

Background: The incidence of urinary complications in transplantation is 2% to 20%, which can be decreased with the use of a double-J catheter. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the use of the catheter and the probability of urinary tract infection (UTI).

Methods: We studied a retrospective cohort of 1038 patients divided into 2 groups: those treated with vs without a double-J catheter. Perioperative factors related to catheter use were analyzed. Second, whether the use of the catheter was associated with fewer other urinary complications was analyzed.

Results: Of the whole sample, 72 patients were eliminated from the study, and 358 (37%) received a double-J catheter. UTIs occurred in 190 patients (19.6%), of whom a greater proportion received a catheter: 88 of 358 (24.6%) vs 102 of 608 (16.8%) (odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.22; P = .003).

Conclusions: The placement of a double-J catheter during transplant is associated with a higher proportion of UTIs, increasing their severity and the cost of care, without having a clear effect on other types of urinary complications.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Transplant Recipients
  • Urinary Catheters
  • Urinary Tract Infections* / epidemiology
  • Urinary Tract Infections* / etiology