The Quality of Life of Patients Living with a Urinary Catheter and Its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Egypt

Citation

Youssef N, Shepherd A, Best C, Hagen S, Mackay W, Waddell D & El Sebaee H (2023) The Quality of Life of Patients Living with a Urinary Catheter and Its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Egypt. Healthcare, 11 (16), Art. No.: 2266. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162266

Abstract
Background: In Arabic countries, no research has focused on the experience of patients with indwelling urinary catheters. This cross-sectional study is the first to evaluate the catheter-specific quality of life (QoL) of patients living with a urinary catheter in Egypt. Methods: This study was conducted from April to September 2017, using a convenience sample of patients from a University Hospital. Data were collected using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Long-Term Catheter QoL (ICIQ-LTCQoL) instrument, along with a demographic datasheet. Results: 141 were enrolled, with 47.5% inpatients, 52.5% outpatients. A total of 70.9% reported problems with catheter function, and 92.2% reported that the catheter affected their daily lives. Place (inpatient or outpatient) was significantly associated with the total score of the ICIQ-LTCQoL (mean difference (MD) 6.34 (95% CI: 3.0 to 9.73)) and both subscales (catheter function subscale: MD = 4.92 (95% CI: 2.12 to 7.73) and lifestyle impact subscale: MD = 1.44 (95% CI: 0.3 to 2.63)), suggesting that outpatients have poorer QoL than inpatients. Moreover, catheter material was significantly related to the catheter function domain with Silicone Foley Catheter (100% Silicon) users experiencing poorer QoL related to catheter function than those with Latex Foley Catheter (Silicon-coated) (MD 4.43 (95% CI: 0.62 to 8.24). Workers/employees were found to have poorer QoL than those who were retired (MD = 4.94 (95% CI: 0.3 to 9.63)). Conclusion: The results highlight the necessity of assessing function and concern regarding urinary catheter use and its impact on QoL, as well as its determinants. Evidence-based educational programs should be designed to enhance patients’ self-care abilities to relieve their sense of distress and enhance their confidence in caring for their catheters.

Keywords
ICIQ-LTCQoL; incontinence; indwelling catheter; quality of life; urinary catheter

Journal
Healthcare: Volume 11, Issue 16

People

Dr Catherine Best

Lecturer Statistician, Institute for Social Marketing

Professor Ashley Shepherd

Professor, Health Sciences Stirling

Dr Debbie Waddell

Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Health Sciences Stirling