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.