The UriCath study: characterization of the use of indwelling urinary catheters among hospitalized older patients in the Internal Medicine Departments of Portugal

To describe the prevalence, indications, and complications of indwelling urinary catheters use in Portuguese older inpatients. UriCath is the first Portuguese multicentric study including a high number of public hospitals, addressing the use of indwelling urinary catheter in older inpatients. Indwelling urinary catheter use among older inpatients is prevalent and often inappropriate. The results of UriCath will highlight the importance of rethinking the use of indwelling urinary catheter and the need to improve geriatric skills. Approximately 25% of older inpatients have an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC), 45–54% unnecessarily. This study aims to describe the prevalence, indications, and complications of IUC use in Portuguese older inpatients. Multicentric, cross-sectional, observational study conducted in Portuguese internal medicine wards (UriCath). Of a total of 3135 inpatients from 39 hospitals, we included 628 patients with 65 years old or more using an IUC, mean age 82.0 ± 7.5. Prevalence of IUC use was 20.0%. The average Barthel Index was 44.0 ± 37.3 and Charlson comorbidity Index was 7.0 ± 2.8. The main reasons for IUC use were: urinary output monitoring (47.5%), urinary retention (22.5%), and pressure ulcers (11.0%). The IUC removal was attempted in 9.1% and 24.7% developed a complication. IUC use among older inpatients is prevalent and often inappropriate. Clinical awareness and development guidelines for restricted use of IUC are essential to reduce morbimortality and healthcare costs.