A New Angulated Intermittent Catheter Facilitates Location of the Female Urethra

Intermittent self‐catheterization has become the gold standard for bladder emptying in people with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. One of the main challenges experienced by women starting to perform intermittent catheterization is finding the urethra. The aim of this prospective, single‐arm, multicentre study was to investigate the quality of life of subjects using a new catheter with an angulated handle aimed to facilitate locating the urethra (LoFric Elle), as well as satisfaction, perception and adherence to the intermittent self‐catheterization regimen. Data were collected using the validated Intermittent self‐catheterization questionnaire (ISC‐Q, with results ranging from 0 to 100) and the Wellspect questionnaire (five‐grade questionnaire from totally agree to totally disagree). A total of 20 subjects fulfilling the eligibility criteria were included in the study and followed‐up for 2 weeks. All subjects were easy to train on the use of the catheter. During the study period, 80% of the subjects used the handle every time, 10% more than 20 times and 5% more than 10 times, with only one subject (5%) not using the angulated handle at any time throughout the 2 weeks. The analysis of the total ISC‐Q showed that subjects reported a high Quality of Life after using LoFric Elle (75.9 ± 13.04) and positive results were obtained in all the ISC‐Q domains, including ‘ease of use’ (78.13 ± 24.33), ‘convenience’ (67.50 ± 25.21), ‘discreetness’ (88.33 ± 19.43) and ‘psychological well‐being’ (66.04 ± 21.81). The results on the Wellspect questionnaire revealed that 80% of the subjects were satisfied with LoFric Elle and the majority found that the device was easy to hold when catheterizing with the handle (75%) and that the use of an angulated handle had advantages, for example, felt clean and hygienic (75%). Overall, these results suggest that LoFric Elle is a viable option for women requiring IC and that its angulated handle offers new possibilities to use the catheter, facilitates locating the urethra and that the distance it creates provides hygienic catheterization conditions.