Long-term compliance with clean intermittent catheterisation in patients with spinal cord injury [Omurilik Yaralanmali Hastalarin Temiz Aralikli Kateterizasyona Uzun Dönemde Gösterdikleri Uyum]

The aim of this study was to determine the long term compliance with clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC) in patients with spinal cord injury. Fifty patients with spinal cord injury who were hospitalized for rehabilitation were enrolled into the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. After urodynamic evaluation, they were educated on CIC. After discharge they were followed-up closely. The mean age of the patients was 37.2±14.6 (17-75) years. The average time since injury was 8.5±15.1 (0.5-60 months. Seventeen patients had tetraplegia and 33 had paraplegia. Fifteen patients had complete injuries and 35 patients had incomplete lesions (ASIA classess B-D). Urodynamic evaluations showed that 50% of the patients had an overactive detrusor and the rest had underactive or acontractile detrusor. Follow-up data revealed that 49 of the patients continued on CIC for an average of 27.1±13.5 (6-53) months. Only one patient reverted to indwelling catheter at the 8th month because of the cost. None of the patients had severe spasticity interfering with catheterisation. The long-term compliance with CIC was very good. Education of the patients about CIC, their frequent follow-up, no severe spasticity interfering with catheterisation, no dependence on caregivers for CIC seem to be the main factors for these good results.