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Urine often has a high concentration of particles and low content of water. This is referred to as high osmolality. Urine osmolality has a direct effect on catheter lubrication and plays an important role for people who use hydrophilic catheters. Catheters with a surface osmolality in balance with urine is key to reducing withdrawal friction.

Extensive studies support scientific literature claiming that use of hydrophilic catheters reduce urethral trauma and urinary tract infections. This in turn can minimize the need for antibiotics. Because of these benefits, we now know that hydrophilic catheters are one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent long term urological complications in general and UTI in particular.

A lubricated catheter is recommended to reduce damage to the urethra and lower the risk of hematuria which is a common complication. A cross-over study comparing different hydrophilic catheters showed an even lower frequency of hematuria in patients who chose LoFric.

Überblick über häufige Blasen- und Darmfunktionsstörungen

Das Harnsystem ist verantwortlich für die Beseitigung von Abfallprodukten und überschüssiger Flüssigkeit aus dem Körper, indem Urin gebildet und ausgeschieden wird.

Introduction of a no-touch catheter/technique for intermittent catheterization seems to be well accepted both by caregivers and patients and it is not necessarily associated with higher costs. On the contrary, it could potentially reduce costs, saving time and errors in the healthcare system and reduce infection complications in general. The clinical evidence level is low for using no-touch technique/catheter to reduce UTIs but current available studies suggest benefits of it.

With more than 30 years on the market, LoFric has been used and documented in several ways. In addition to efficiently emptying the bladder, LoFric’s versatile use includes treatment and prevention of recurrent strictures, administration of chemotherapy by bladder instillation, and resolution of rare complications.

A urethral stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the urethra and is often caused by trauma or inflammation.2 As catheterization is one cause of strictures, non-traumatic catheterization technique and catheter material are essential parts in preventing the occurrence of these complications.3 Common treatment methods for urethral strictures are urethrotomy and intermittent catheterization/dilatation

Patient adherence plays a key role in a successful and cost-effective catheterization treatment. A patient who feels part of the decision-making, in control of his options and how they work with his lifestyle is more inclined to stick with his therapy and subsequently experience a good clinical outcome.

Single-use hydrophilic catheters were developed in the early eighties to address long-term complications of intermittent catheterisation seen when reusing plastic catheters with add-on lubrication. As reported by Wyndaele and Maes and Perrouin-Verbe et al.

Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are common in the hospital setting with consequential morbidity and mortality. The risk of bacterial adhesion and invasion of the urinary tract increases with use of an indwelling catheterization and may be reduced by adopting intermittent catheterization using hydrophilic single-use catheters.

According to WHO the problem of antimicrobial resistance is so serious that it threatens our modern healthcare system.1 By 2050 it may cause 10 million deaths2 or more if we lose our ability to use effective antibiotics.