Evolution of Quality of Life and Treatment Adherence after One Year of Intermittent Bladder Catheterisation in Functional Urology Unit Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine patient difficulties and concerns when performing IBC (Intermittent Bladder Catheterisation), as well as the evolution of adherence, quality of life, and emotional state of patients one year after starting IBC. METHOD: A prospective, observational, multicentre study conducted in 20 Spanish hospitals with a one-year follow-up. Data sources were patient records and the King's Health Questionnaire on quality of life, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Perceived adherence was measured using the ICAS (Intermittent Catheterization Adherence Scale) and perceived difficulties with IBC were assessed using the ICDQ (Intermittent Catheterization Difficulty Questionnaire). For data analysis, descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed for paired data at three points in time (T1: one month, T2: three months, T3: one year). RESULTS: A total of 134 subjects initially participated in the study (T0), becoming 104 subjects at T1, 91 at T2, and 88 at T3, with a mean age of 39 years (standard deviation = 22.16 years). Actual IBC adherence ranged from 84.8% at T1 to 84.1% at T3. After one year of follow-up, a statistically significant improvement in quality of life (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in all dimensions with the exception of personal relationships. However, there were no changes in the levels of anxiety (p = 0.190) or depression (p = 0.682) at T3 compared to T0. CONCLUSIONS: Patients requiring IBC exhibit good treatment adherence, with a significant proportion of them performing self-catheterisation. After one year of IBC, a significant improvement in quality of life was noted, albeit with a significant impact on their daily lives and their personal and social relationships. Patient support programmes could be implemented to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and thus enhance both their quality of life and the maintenance of their adherence.

An intervention to improve the adequacy of referrals from primary care to a department of urology.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyses the effect of two interventions implemented in order to improve adherence to the terms of a protocol for referring patients from primary care to a urology department. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A telephone counselling line for professionals was implemented, and joint training sessions were held (twice, at six-month intervals). The terms "appropriate" and "inappropriate" were used to identify referrals complying with the locally developed protocol and those that did not, respectively. Referral appropriateness at baseline (T0) was compared with that six months after the first (T1) and second (T2) meeting. Linear trend analysis was used to test for trends in adequacy across the study. RESULTS: Appropriateness of 6,088 consecutive referrals was analysed. At T0, 58% of the referrals (2810/4841) were judged to be "appropriate". Adequacy improved significantly at T1 (70.6% vs. 58% at T0; chi2 < 0.001). At T2, 75.4% of the referrals met the terms of the protocol; the difference between results at T1 and T2 was not statistically significant (chi2 = 0.06). Overall (T0 vs. T2), a 17.4% improvement was confirmed (chi2 < 0.001). A trend toward more appropriate referrals was detected over time (Mantel-Haenszel test for linear trend, z = 9.62; p < 0.001). As the use of communication resources was anecdotal, mathematical analysis of its effect on adequacy could not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: Training activities are worthwhile for improving referral adequacy. Stable rates over time are possible. Using communication resources may be unnecessary if accessibility is guaranteed.

Una intervención para mejorar la adecuación de las canalizaciones desde atención primaria a un servicio de urología / An intervention to improve the adequacy of referrals from primary care to a department of urology

Objetivo: Este estudio analiza el efecto de dos intervenciones puestas en funcionamiento para mejorar la adhesión a los términos de un protocolo de derivación desde atención primaria a un servicio de urología. Material y método: El programa incluyó la activación de recursos de comunicación y la celebración de reuniones conjuntas. Los términos “adecuado” e “inadecuado” se utilizaron para diferenciar las derivaciones que se ajustaron al protocolo de las que no. Para este estudio se analizó la adecuación al protocolo antes de la activación del programa (T0) y transcurridos 6 meses desde la primera (T1) y la segunda (T2) reunión. Para analizar tendencias en la adecuación se llevó a cabo un análisis lineal de tendencias. Resultados: Se analizó la adecuación de 6.088 derivaciones. En T0, se consideró adecuado el 58% de las derivaciones. La adecuación mejoró en T1 (el 70,6 frente al 58% en T0; c2 < 0,001). En T2, el 75,4% de las derivaciones se ajustó al protocolo. En general (T0 frente a T2), se confirmó una mejoría del 17,4% en la adecuación de las derivaciones (c2 < 0,001).Además, se confirmó una tendencia temporal hacia derivaciones más adecuadas (z = 9,62; p < 0,001). Dado lo anecdótico de la utilización de los sistemas de comunicación, no fue posible un análisis matemático de su efecto en la adecuación. Conclusiones: Las actividades educativas son útiles para mejorar la adecuación de las derivaciones. Son posibles tasas estables. La activación de sistemas de comunicación puede resultar superflua si la accesibilidad está garantizada (AU)

Introduction: This study analyses the effect of two interventions implemented in order to improve adherence to the terms of a protocol for referring patients from primary care to a urology department. Material and method: A telephone counselling line for professionals was implemented, and joint training sessions were held (twice, at six-month intervals). The terms “appropriate” and “inappropriate” were used to identify referrals complying with the locally developed protocol and those that did not, respectively. Referral appropriateness at baseline (T0) was compared with that six months after the first (T1) and second (T2) meeting. Linear trend analysis was used to test for trends in adequacy across the study. Results: Appropriateness of 6,088 consecutive referrals was analysed. At T0, 58% of the referrals (2810/4841) were judged to be “appropriate”. Adequacy improved significantly at T1 (70.6% vs. 58% at T0; c2 < 0.001). At T2, 75.4% of the referrals met the terms of the protocol; the difference between results at T1 and T2 was not statistically significant (c2 = 0.06). Overall (T0 vs. T2), a 17.4% improvement was confirmed (c2 < 0.001). A trend toward more appropriate referrals was detected over time (Mantel-Haenszel test for linear trend, z = 9.62; p < 0.001). As the use of communication resources was anecdotal, mathematical analysis of its effect on adequacy could not be performed. Conclusions: Training activities are worthwhile for improving referral adequacy. Stableates over time are possible. Using communication resources may be unnecessary if accessibility is guaranteed (AU)