Intermittent catheter users’ symptom identification, description and management of urinary tract infection: a qualitative study

This study explored how people who use intermittent catheters (IC) understand and describe urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms. Researchers conducted interviews to learn about their experiences with UTI, including how they prevent, identify, and manage them. The study found that IC users often use different terms than medical professionals to describe UTI symptoms. They also have difficulty distinguishing UTI symptoms from other health problems. Many IC users try to manage UTI symptoms themselves before seeking help from a doctor. This can involve drinking more fluids or self-medicating with antibiotics.

• 1
  IC users describe UTI signs and symptoms using informal terms that often differ from standard medical terminology, such as the NIDRR symptom list.
• 2
  Participants experienced difficulty in distinguishing UTI symptoms from symptoms related to existing comorbidities or age-related issues, leading to uncertainty in identifying a UTI.
• 3
  IC users employ various self-management strategies, including increasing fluid intake, improving personal hygiene, and self-medicating with antibiotics, before seeking professional medical help.