What do systematic reviews say?

Suprapubic catheterisation vs intermittent urethral catheterisation

Suprapubic catheterisation showed no clear difference in number of participants with symptomatic UTI compared with intermittent urethral catheterisation (low certainty).

• Urethral (indwelling or intermittent) or suprapubic routes for short‐term catheterisation in hospitalised adults 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.67 [0.68, 4.1]
  1 study · 72 participants
  Low

Indwelling urethral catheterisation vs intermittent urethral catheterisation

• Urethral (indwelling or intermittent) or suprapubic routes for short‐term catheterisation in hospitalised adults 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 162 participants
  Very low

Aseptic technique vs clean technique

Aseptic technique showed no clear difference in number with symptomatic UTI compared with clean technique (low certainty).

• Intermittent catheter techniques, strategies and designs for managing long‐term bladder conditions 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.2 [0.54, 2.66]
  1 study · 36 participants
  Low

Hydrophilic‐coated catheter vs uncoated catheter

Hydrophilic‐coated catheter showed no clear difference in number with symptomatic UTI compared with uncoated catheter (low certainty).

• Intermittent catheter techniques, strategies and designs for managing long‐term bladder conditions 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.89 [0.69, 1.14]
  2 studies · 98 participants
  Low

Single‐use (sterile) catheter vs multiple‐use (clean) catheter

Single‐use (sterile) catheter showed no clear difference in number with symptomatic UTI1 compared with multiple‐use (clean) catheter (low certainty).

• Intermittent catheter techniques, strategies and designs for managing long‐term bladder conditions 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.98 [0.55, 1.74]
  2 studies · 97 participants
  Low

Indwelling urethral catheterisation vs suprapubic catheterisation

It is very uncertain whether indwelling urethral catheterisation changes number of participants with symptomatic UTI compared with suprapubic catheterisation (very low certainty).

• Urethral (indwelling or intermittent) or suprapubic routes for short‐term catheterisation in hospitalised adults 2015 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.01 [0.61, 1.69]
  5 studies · 575 participants
  Very low