Risk factors for catheter‐associated urinary tract infection among hospitalized patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies

Abstract Aims The study aimed to identify the risk factors for catheter‐associated urinary tract infection among hospitalized patients. We also tried to explore its potential effect on patient outcomes if possible. Background Catheter‐associated urinary tract infection accounts for a large proportion of healthcare‐associated infections and remains a considerable threat to patient safety worldwide. Design A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies. Data sources We conducted an electronic search in PubMed, EMBASE , Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for studies published between January 2008–January 2018. Review methods Two reviewers searched the articles and extracted the data independently. The quality of the studies was assessed with the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. RevMan 5.3 was used to perform the meta‐analysis. Results Ten studies involving a total of 8785 participants with or without catheter‐associated urinary tract infection were included. The average incidence of catheter‐associated urinary tract infection was 13.79 per 1000 catheter days, with a prevalence rate of 9.33%. The meta‐analysis demonstrated that patients at high risk for catheter‐associated urinary tract infection were female, had a prolonged duration of catheterization, had diabetes, had previous catheterization, and had longer hospital and ICU stays. Additionally, catheter‐associated urinary tract infection was also accompanied by an increase in mortality. Conclusions Healthcare staff should focus on the identified risk factors for catheter‐associated urinary tract infection. Further research is needed to investigate the microbial isolates and focus on the intervention strategies of catheter‐associated urinary tract infection, so as to reduce its incidence and related mortality.