부산대학교 도서관

A point prevalence study performed in nursing homes (n = 91) within a geographically well-defined area in western Sweden revealed that of the 3,092 caretakers, 8% had an indwelling catheter. The incidence was higher among males 19% compared to females (4%). The males had been catheterised for a significantly longer period of time (30 months) compared to the females (17 months) (p> 0.001). A third of the caretakers had the catheter rinsed regularly; mostly with chlorhexidine, a regime not based on controlled randomised studies. Cranberry juice (in 19%) was frequently used as well as metenaminhippurat (in 8%), a drug lacking effectiveness in association with long term catheters. There is a lack of methods with scientifically documented effect and controlled randomised studies as well as the development of novel strategies are highly desirable.