Prevalence and Characteristics of Urinary Catheter Blockage in Patients With Long-Term Urinary Catheterization: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of urinary catheter blockage in older patients using objective indicators and to characterize obstructive materials and microbiota. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients aged ≥ 65 years with an indwelling catheter for ≥ 24 h were recruited from a long-term care hospital. Blockage was defined using objective indicators including residual urine volume, leakage, reinsertion urine volume and resistance to saline injection. Samples were analysed for composition and microbiota. RESULTS: Among 77 patients, 29.9% experienced catheter blockage. Blockage was associated with shorter catheterization duration and greater intraluminal narrowing. Proteus mirabilis and Campylobacter ureolyticus were more abundant. Most blockages occurred at the catheter tip (81.0%), with struvite as the predominant material (71.4%). Microbiota varied by material composition. CONCLUSION: Catheter blockage occurred in 29.9% of patients, mainly at the catheter tip and associated with struvite. Microbiota differed by blockage status and material composition. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Objective identification of catheter blockage supports early detection and targeted management and provides a basis for research on mechanisms. These findings provide a foundation for future research to develop and evaluate evidence-based nursing interventions for preventing catheter blockage in older adults. IMPACT: This study addressed the lack of objective criteria and limited understanding of catheter blockage. It showed that about 30% of patients experienced blockage and identified distinct microbiota and material characteristics. These findings may improve catheter management and support future research on mechanisms and prevention. REPORTING METHOD: STROBE checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Patients contributed to data collection by providing information on symptoms related to catheter blockage through structured assessments, while nurses during the study period facilitated data collection and conducted clinical assessments.