Prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters in nursing home residents: Systematic review

Jonas Czwikla; Kathrin Wandscher; Jasmin Helbach; Alexander M Fassmer; Guido Schmiemann; Falk Hoffmann

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104555

Prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters in nursing home residents: Systematic review

Int J Nurs Stud. 2023 Sep:145:104555. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104555. Epub 2023 Jun 21.

Authors

Jonas Czwikla¹, Kathrin Wandscher², Jasmin Helbach², Alexander M Fassmer², Guido Schmiemann³, Falk Hoffmann²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany; Department of Health, Long-term Care and Pensions, SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy, University of Bremen, Mary-Somerville-Straße 5, 28359 Bremen, Germany; High-Profile Area of Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany. Electronic address: jonas.czwikla@uni-oldenburg.de.
² Department of Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
³ High-Profile Area of Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany; Department for Health Services Research, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP), University of Bremen, Grazer Straße 4, 28359 Bremen, Germany.

PMID: 37421830
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104555

Abstract

Background: This systematic review examines the prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters in nursing home residents.

Methods: MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to 9 August 2022. Cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies with cross-sectional analyses reporting catheter prevalence in nursing home residents were identified and summarized descriptively. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's tool.

Results: Sixty-seven studies (92.5 % cross-sectional) were included. The reported number of included residents ranged from 73 to 110,656. The median catheter prevalence was 7.3 % (interquartile range 4.3-10.1 %; n = 65 studies). It was higher in Germany (10.2 % [9.7-12.8 %]; n = 15) than in the United States of America (9.3 % [6.3-11.9 %]; n = 9), United Kingdom (6.9 % [4.8-8.5 %]; n = 7), and Sweden (7.3 % [6.4-7.9 %]; n = 6). Furthermore, it was higher among men (17.0 % [16.0-26.0 %]) than among women (5.3 % [4.0-9.5 %]) (n = 9). Only one study investigated differences by age. The prevalence was higher for transurethral (5.7 % [5.6-7.2 %]; n = 12) than for suprapubic (1.2 % [0.6-2.5 %]; n = 13) catheters. Most catheterized residents were long-term catheterized (n = 6) and had their catheter changed within 3 months (n = 2). Symptomatic urinary tract infections were more common among catheterized than among non-catheterized residents (n = 4).

Discussion: Catheter prevalence in nursing home residents varies between studies and countries. Prevalence differences by sex, age, and catheter type as well as duration of catheterization, catheter change intervals, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections are rarely reported because most studies do not primarily focus on catheters. Future studies should focus on the circumstances of urinary catheter use and care in nursing home residents.

Registration and funding: PROSPERO (29 August 2022; CRD42022354358); no funding.

Keywords: Catheters, indwelling; Nursing homes; Prevalence; Systematic review [publication type]; Urinary catheters.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review

MeSH terms

Catheters, Indwelling* / adverse effects
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Nursing Homes
Prevalence
United States
Urinary Catheterization / adverse effects
Urinary Catheters / adverse effects
Urinary Tract Infections* / epidemiology
Urinary Tract Infections* / etiology