Elderly Patient Develops Rare Purple Urine Bag Syndrome, Raising Awareness of Catheter-Related Risks: Case Report

Due to antibiotic resistance, the patient's medications remained unchanged; however, the purple discoloration resolved following the catheter and urinary bag replacement. According to Fatemeh Mahdi & Amirhossein Larijani from Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, the case marks the first reported instance of this phenomenon in the region.

The authors emphasize the need for advancements in catheter technology and care protocols to minimize catheter-related urinary tract infections (UTIs) and enhance outcomes for patients experiencing Purple Urine Bag Syndrome (PUBS). Collaborative efforts to create comprehensive databases can facilitate the development of effective healthcare strategies and policies. Additionally, long-term studies evaluating the impact of PUBS on patient outcomes and quality of life from a patient-centered perspective are essential.

Understanding the causes, clinical presentation, management strategies, and epidemiology of PUBS is crucial for providing effective care to catheterized patients. This case highlighted key risk factors, including female gender, a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and AKI. Notably, PUBS developed during the first catheterization of the patient, despite no previous catheter use or antibiotic history, and the urine was not alkaline.

The presence of antibiotic resistance—limited to nitrofurantoin—and the resolution of PUBS through catheter change alone, without altering the antibiotic regimen, were particularly noteworthy findings.

"Ongoing research and additional case reports will further enhance our understanding of PUBS and improve outcomes for those affected by this condition," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Mahdi, F., Larijani, A. Purple urine bag syndrome: a unique clinical case and management considerations. BMC Nephrol 25, 375 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-024-03708-6