PHYSICAL COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH CLEAN INTERMITTENT CATHETERIZATION

To characterize and quantify complications related to clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) 302 out-patients were followed for a mean period of 13 months. The main problems were minor bleeding in connection with the procedure and infections. Except for two patients with recurrent strictures, no serious urethral complications were detected. One or more episodes of cystopyelitis were experienced by 5.6 % of the patients. Long term major problems of infectious origin affected only 2.6 % while 24.5 % had no signs of clinical infection during the follow-up period. UTI was more frequent in young patients, women, and men with supranuclear affection. Eight patients suffered from bladder stones and 1 patient from epididymitis. No serious radiological changes were detected in the upper urinary tract. No association was found between reported problems and changes in the patients' general condition, physical disability and length of previous CIC experience.