Affiliations 

  • 1 MBBS (MMMC), Department of Primary Care Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Malaysia. Email: drevawong@live.com
  • 2 MBBS (Mal), MMed (FamMed) (Mal), Department of Primary Care Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Malaysia
Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(2):42-44.
PMID: 30302185

Abstract

Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBs) is a rare and startling phenomenon of purple discolouration in the urine or urinary catheter and bag. It is reported in chronically debilitated elderly patients, mostly in women on long-term urinary catheters. Its prevalence is strikingly more common in nursing home residents. Several factors contribute to the formation of indigo (blue) and indirubin (red) pigments from a breakdown of dietary tryptophan, which stains the urine purple. These factors include constipation, dysmotility of the bowel, bowel bacterial overgrowth, dehydration, and urinary tract infection. The presence of purple urine may cause undue alarm to both the patient and the doctor. Thus, we present this case report on an 86-year-old woman, a nursing home resident on a long-term urinary catheter, who presented to the primary care clinic. Her urine cleared after antibiotic therapy, replacement of her urinary catheter, and supportive management, which included hydration and nutrition. In addition to these measures, reducing the time between urinary catheter changes was recommended to prevent recurrence of this condition.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.