Urological Disorders Drive Urological Supplies Markets

Urological surgery supplies are projected to grow more than 10% between 2017 and 2021, according to a report by Researh and Markets.

The biggest trend is the research and development of disposable, single use medical supplies. Urological surgery supplies of this sort include ureteral catheters, guide wires, drain bags, and drain tubes geared toward the 15 to 25% of hospital visits that require the placement of foley catheter, which helps to pass urine through the bladder during the stay or surgery–although there is also a significant percentage of the market represented by ambulatory services.

This trend is unsurprising given the rise in urological disorders. Prostate cancer, the second most common type of cancer found in men, can have a direct effect on bladder during treatment, given the close proximity of the prostate and bladder.

But for the suffers of prostate cancer, catheters and urological supplies is not only a reality during treatment but also afterword. Incontinence, or the accidental discharge of urine, is a common side effect of prostate cancer treatment, both surgical and radiation therapy.

While both surgery and radiation therapy have a risk of damaging the bladder walls, radiation is more likely to cause incontinence. Conventional types of radiation are often unfocused, and the accidental exposure could severely decrease the integrity of bladder walls, leading to either a slow leak or muscle spasms that force urine from the bladder

While incontinence is usually treated mitigated with a combination of lifestyle changes (less caffeine and alcohol), pelvic exercise, and medication, a catheter might be necessary if the incontinence is severe.

These long-term urological supplies represent a secondary market benefitting from the increase in urological disorders. One such non-surgical catheter popular for men with incontinence is the condom catheter, which is affixed to the penis and connected to drainage bag kept on the leg with leg bag extension tubing.

Of course, prostate cancer is only one of a myriad of medical issues that are driving the surge in Urological Supply markets. As the population ages, urinary incontinence becomes significantly more prevalent: 14% in individuals between 65 to 69 years of age to over 45% after 85 years of age and older.

The increased research and development will likely have the benefit of increasing the quality of life of those who live with catheters, or find themselves needing one while hospitalized.