A recent study funded by Coloplast demonstrates the use of a hydrophilic-coated Speedicath catheter lessens the risk of experiencing a first UTI by 50% after recent spinal cord injury.

The study involved 105 patients with acute spinal cord injury who were randomized to have a hydrophilic-coated Speedicath and 114 randomized patients to receive a non-hydrophilic Conveen catheter (also produced by Coloplast). These patients spanned 11 hospitals in the United States and 4 hospitals in Canada, aged 18 and older with spinal cord injuries in the past three months and required intermittent catheterization.

UTIs occurred in 40% of the patients with hydrophilic-coated Speedicath catheters in the 6 months of the study; 65% occurance among the group with uncoated catheters.

The study, while specific to Coloplast, shows the advantages of hydrophilic-coated catheters over the uncoated catheters. A 15% difference is exceptional considering the suffering, extra care care and hospital resources required to treat catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections.

This study is from the October 2010 issue of Renal and Urology News.

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