Randomized Clinical Trial Using a Sterile Single-use and Reused Polyvinylchloride Catheter for Intermittent Catheterization with a Clean Technique in Spina Bifida: Short Term UTI Outcomes

AbstractPurpose:Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common and severe complications in patients with spina bifida (SB). Management includes intermittent bladder catheterization (IC), with either single use or reused sterile catheters. There is insufficient evidence to set a standard among different techniques. We determined whether single-use polyvinylchloride (PVC) catheters reduce UTIs compared to reused PVC catheters for patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) due to SB.Materials and Methods:We conducted a 2-arm randomized parallel clinical trial from 2015 to 2016 with an 8-week follow-up at our center in patients with NB caused by SB consisting of single use and reused PVC catheter groups. Evaluations were established days 0, 7, 14, 28, 42 and 56. Participants reported symptoms and urine cultures were obtained. Primary outcome was frequency of UTIs, defined as positive urine culture plus fever, flank pain, malaise, cloudy or odorous urine. Eligibility criteria were age ≥ 2 years, SB diagnosis with regula...