ISC - the gold standard

ISC gives patients greater independence¹ and offers less interference with sexual activity.¹ It also provides better symptom management, giving patients a greater degree of freedom to participate in daily and social activities that may otherwise have been difficult.²

The rate of non-adherence is still alarmingly high³

As the results from a 2010 study in the Journal of Urology reflect, over 50% of patients stop ISC within the first five years after starting the treatment.³ The majority of patients who stop ISC seemed to change to other bladder management methods including indwelling catheterisation.³ What lies behind this trend?

Faulty perceptions can lead to lack of adherence

Our research shows that there is often a fundamental disconnect in the way a patient perceives ISC and what it actually involves.⁴ And this is often due to the patient’s lack of understanding of his or her own anatomy. Ultimately, these misconceptions can prevent them from accepting ISC as a viable treatment option and, over time, stop adhering to it.

What physical barriers exist?

Physical barriers to ISC for men

Many men view incontinence issues as a potential threat to their virility and masculinity.⁵ Our study among ISC users revealed that almost 50% of men have barriers to inserting the catheter.⁶ As one nurse explains, “It is invariably a shocking moment for male patients to see the length of tubing they have to insert. Many have trouble believing such a long tube is actually safe and necessary”.⁷

Physical barriers to ISC for women

For women, the physical barrier lies in understanding their own anatomy.⁶ Our study of ISC users revealed that 50% of women have difficulty locating the urethra.⁶ One of the nurses interviewed in our study explains it this way, “Women tend to accept the idea (of ISC) better (than men), but actually the physicalities are a problem for them".⁸