Effect of a phosphate supplement on urine pH in patients with neurogenic bladder receiving intermittent catheterization.

STUDY

DESIGN

Pilot study; prospective design.

SETTING

University Hospital, Virginia, USA.

OBJECTIVE

To examine a phosphorus supplement as a urine-acidifying agent in patients with neurogenic bladder on clean intermittent catheterization.

METHODS

Seven patients were followed for 4 weeks. For the first week of study urine pH was measured three times a day: first morning urine sample, afternoon sample, evening sample. For the second and third weeks urine pH was measured and the patients drank a phosphorus supplement three times a day. For the fourth week of study the patients did not take the phosphorus supplement but the measurement of urine pH was continued. The patients were visited in their homes twice a week. During each visit a sample of urine was collected for culture. A supplement container count was performed and urine pH recordings were checked.

RESULTS

There was no significant change in urine pH during the 2-week period when a patient was on phosphorus supplementation compared to when the patient was off supplementation. In addition, urine acidification was not achieved over the time period when urine pH was monitored.

CONCLUSION

Phosphate supplementation had no effect on urine pH in patients with neurogenic bladder.