Objectives:measure and compare the quality of life of neurogenic bladder patients using
intermittent urinary catheterization who were going through rehabilitation in
Brazil and Portugal. Method:multicenter, quantitative, cross-sectional, observational-analytic and
correlational study executed in Brazil and Portugal. Two data collection tools
were used, being one questionnaire with sociodemographic and clinical data and the
World Health Organization Quality of Life-bref. Patients were included who were
over 18 years of age, suffering from neurogenic urinary bladder and using
intermittent urinary catheterization. Results:in the sample of Brazilian (n = 170) and Portuguese (n = 52) patients,
respectively, most patients were single (87-51.2%; 25-48.1%), had finished primary
education (47-45.3%; 31-59.6%) and were retired (70-41.2%; 21-40.4%). Spinal cord
injury was the main cause of using the urinary catheter in both countries. The
Brazilian patients presented higher mean quality of life scores in the
psychological domain (68.9) and lower scores in the physical domain (58.9). The
Portuguese patients presented higher scores in the psychological domain (68.4) and
lower scores in the environment domain (59.4). The execution of intermittent
urinary self-catheterization was significant for both countries. Conclusions:in the two countries, these patients’ quality of life can be determined by the
improvement in the urinary symptoms, independence, self-confidence, social
relationships and access to work activities.