Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “UTIs”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources

Antimicrobials for the treatment of urinary tract infection in pregnancy: practices in southern India.

PURPOSE: Although urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnancy is a common medical problem, very little is known about the susceptibility patterns of bacteria causing UTI and the prescription practices for UTI in pregnancy in low-income countries. Studies were, therefore, carried out in southern India to document the susceptibility patterns and to compare these with prescription practices. METHODS: Data on susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated in significant counts from urine of pregnant women suspected to have urinary infection were collected. Prescribing patterns for these infections were ascertained using a questionnaire. RESULTS: About 90% of E. coli causing UTI is still susceptible to nitrofurantoin, a relatively inexpensive and safe drug. However, less than 25% of doctors used it for treatment of cystitis. Cephalosporins were most commonly used in hospital practice for the treatment of UTI. Amoxycillin was being used widely to treat UTI in pregnancy in spite of high prevalence of resistance. There were wide variations in the duration of therapy and use of prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate an urgent need for proper guidelines, dissemination of information to practitioners and supervision of antimicrobial usage in low income countries like India. Irrational and unnecessary drug use can be expensive and harmful.

Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗

Urinary tract infection in patients of gynecological malignancies undergoing external pelvic radiotherapy.

A total of 216 midstream urine (MSU) samples from 36 patients with gynecological malignancies undergoing external pelvic radiotherapy (RT) were studied periodically every week for any evidence of urinary tract infection (UTI). UTI was detected in 33.3% patients of whom 8.3% had infection at the onset of RT and the rest developed UTI during the course of therapy. All three patients who had UTI at the onset of RT underwent cystoscopy as a part of routine pretreatment workup. A higher preponderance of UTI was observed in patients of stage III carcinoma cervix (33.3%) compared to stage II (16.7%) during the course of RT. Half of the patients with UTI had repeated episodes of infection despite appropriate antibiotic treatment. The study emphasizes the importance of conducting periodic MSU examination in patients with gynecological malignancies during RT and its treatment with appropriate antibiotics to minimize the risks of further injury to the already susceptible uroepithelium following radiotherapy.

Adult↗

Staphylococcus saprophyticus urinary tract infections: epidemiological data from Western Australia.

Epidemiological data from Western Australia regarding Staphylococcus saprophyticus urinary tract infections (UTIs) was collected over a 12 month period. Eighty-four percent of S. saprophyticus UTIs occurred in females 13-40 years of age and S. saprophyticus was the second most frequent cause of UTIs in this age group (15.2%) after Escherichia coli (70.8%). Although the monthly incidence fluctuated, no seasonality of S. saprophyticus UTIs could be demonstrated. The proportion of S. saprophyticus UTIs in pregnant women (6.5%) compared with non-pregnant women (15.2%) appeared reduced, however, this reduction was not statistically significant. Finally, while S. saprophyticus was isolated at a frequency of 4.6% from the genital tract of females aged 13-40 years, it could not be isolated from the genital tract of females aged > 40 years, nor from the genital tract of males aged 13-40 years, suggesting a possible reservoir of infection. These data imply a relationship between female hormonal status and S. saprophyticus UTIs which requires further investigation.

Adolescent↗

[Cefixime in urinary tract infections. (Specific studies and literature review)].

Cefixime, a new oral cephalosporin, is more active against enterobacteriaceae than the conventional oral cephalosporins. About 20% of the drug is excreted by the kidneys as active drug. Therefore, the treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI) by cefixime may be a good alternative. In two smaller uncontrolled and four larger, controlled (amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole) "western" studies as well as in eight Japanese studies the good efficacy of cefixime in uncomplicated UTI could be demonstrated. Because of its antibacterial spectrum in this kind of infection the therapy with cefixime can be initiated already prior to sensitivity testing. Concerning the treatment of acute pyelonephritis only few cases are reported. Good results, except in the case of Proteus mirabilis infection, could be achieved. In the treatment of complicated UTI our own controlled (norfloxacin) and 13 uncontrolled Japanese studies showed cefixime to be an effective antibiotic if infections are caused by sensitive strains. Since in complicated UTI also gram-positive and nonfermenting pathogens resistant to cefixime can be found, treatment should not be initiated without sensitivity testing. Concerning treatment of UTI in children only few, but promising, results are reported. The tolerance of cefixime was similar to that of the comparative drugs. The once daily dose (400 mg), however, showed a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse effects than a twice daily dose (200 mg). Therefore, the daily dose should be administered in two divided doses. In summary, cefixime proved to be a good alternative in the treatment of UTI.

Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary↗

Prevalence of urinary tract infection during outpatient follow-up after renal transplantation.

Seven hundred and twenty-seven renal transplant patients are reviewed with respect to the occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) after renal transplantation. UTI was defined as the detection of both bacteriuria (10(5) CFU/ml) and pyuria (10 leukocytes/hpf). UTI developed in 11 of the inpatients (20.8%) and in 30 (4.2%) of the outpatients during a one-year period. Among outpatients, 12 had symptomatic infections, comprising seven with acute pyelonephritis and five with acute cystitis. Asymptomatic UTI was detected in 18 patients. In addition, asymptomatic bacteriuria without pyuria was observed in ten (1.4%) patients. UTI was more common in patients with diabetes, and underlying urinary tract complications were present in some patients. Administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for about 4 months is suggested to reduce the frequency of UTI in the early period after renal transplantation.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Antimicrobial resistance in E.coli associated with urinary tract infection in the west of Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of antimicrobial resistance patterns in E. coli, the predominant pathogen associated with urinary tract infection (UTI) is important as a guide in selecting empirical antimicrobial therapy AIMS: To describe the antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli associated with UTI in a region in the West of Ireland. METHODS: A collection of 934 E. coli isolates associated with UTI were tested for susceptibility to a panel of antimicrobial agents by the disc diffusion method of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. RESULTS: More than 50% of E. coli were resistant to ampicillin, more than 40% resistant to sulphonamide and more than 30% resistant to trimethoprim. From 7.9% (community) to 12.5% (hospital) are resistant to co-amoxiclav with approximately 20% of isolates of intermediate susceptibility. In general practice most E. coli remain susceptible to nitrofurantoin (96.7%), nalidixic acid (93.9%) and ciprofloxacin (94.7%). For all agents rates of resistance were higher in hospital as compared with general practice isolates. Three isolates with the phenotype of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Ampicillin/amoxicillin are not suitable for empiric therapy of UTI in general practice or hospital patients in this region. There is doubt as to the role of trimethorpim or co-trimoxazole for empiric therapy of UTI. Nitrofurantoin, nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin are active against the great majority of UTI associated E. coli.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Prophylactic antibiotics after urodynamics in women: a decision analysis.

The objective of this paper is to compare the risks and benefits of antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI) after urodynamics. We developed a decision analytic model to compare the use of prophylactic antibiotics with no antibiotic use after urodynamics to prevent UTI. Risks and benefits were estimated from the literature and by consensus. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of UTI. Secondary outcomes were the development of adverse events and possible sequelae. One-way sensitivity analyses estimated the effect of varying each characteristic through its range while all other characteristics were fixed at their baseline values. The effectiveness of prophylaxis after urodynamics was a reduction of UTI from 9.2 (no antibiotics) to 5.3% (antibiotics). One-way sensitivity analysis of the probability of UTI without prophylaxis yielded a threshold infection rate of 10%, below which, the strategy of no prophylaxis was favored. In this model, prophylactic antibiotics after urodynamics are not beneficial until the rate of UTI without antibiotics exceeds 10%.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Urinary tract infection in women--physician's preferences for treatment and adherence to guidelines: a national drug utilization study in a managed care setting.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI), the most common bacterial infection in most Western countries, is a global clinical and economic issue. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and nitrofurantoin are the two drugs currently recommended in clinical guidelines in Israel for uncomplicated UTI in women. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates physician preferences for treatment and adherence to guidelines. METHOD: Data were derived from the electronic records of Leumit Health Fund, one of four health management organizations in Israel. Non-pregnant women aged 18-75 years with a diagnosis of acute cystitis or UTI without risk factors for complicated UTI who were empirically treated with antibiotics from January 2001 to June 2002 were identified. The final sample comprised 7738 physician-patient encounters. Physician prescription behavior was analyzed by evaluating the proportion of treatments with each individual drug. A binary regression model was implemented to identify factors associated with suboptimal adherence to the guidelines. RESULTS: TMP-SMX was the most frequently prescribed drug (25.81%), followed by nitrofurantoin (14.71%), for a 40.52% rate of adherence to the guidelines [95% confidence interval (CI)=39.42, 41.61]. Drugs from the fluoroquinolone family were prescribed in 22.82% of cases. Prescription behavior was also influenced by non-clinical, non-pharmacological factors, such as physician specialty, geographic setting and patient age. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cases of UTI in the present study were not treated according to the current guidelines. Fluoroquinolones, though not recommended and relatively costly, were prescribed extensively. These results highlight the necessity for a remedial education program within the health care system designed to improve adherence to the guidelines for the treatment of UTI in women. As this issue is of global importance, this evaluation may serve as a model for similar studies in other settings or countries.

Adult↗

Time course of transient cortical scintigraphic defects associated with acute pyelonephritis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pyelonephritis is distinguished from renal scarring using repeat cortical scintigraphy. The defects of acute pyelonephritis resolve, while those of scars persist. OBJECTIVE: To determine the duration of reversible cortical defects following acute pyelonephritis and the time interval required to differentiate infection from scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational prospective study of 193 children (386 kidneys) aged less than 5 years following their first proven urinary tract infection (UTI). Renal cortical scintigraphic defects were detected in 112 (29%) kidneys within 15 days of diagnosis. Of these, 95 underwent repeat renal cortical scans 2 years after the UTI, including 50 with additional scans performed within 2-6 months of infection. RESULTS: Of the 50 kidneys undergoing a second renal cortical scan within 2-6 months of the first UTI, 22 (44%) had persistent defects. A third scan was performed on 17 (77%) kidneys after 2 years, by which time defects had resolved in another 8 (47%) kidneys. The predictive value of defects detected within 2-6 months of UTI representing scars is 53% (95% CI 28, 77). Overall, nine (18%) kidneys with initial renal cortical abnormalities had permanent defects. In the 45 kidneys undergoing a second cortical scan more than 6 months after the UTI, 11 (24%) had persistent defects. None of the 95 kidneys undergoing serial scans developed new or larger defects. CONCLUSIONS: Renal scars may not be reliably diagnosed by cortical scintigraphy performed within 6 months of UTI because the inflammatory lesions may not have fully resolved.

Acute Disease↗

Effectiveness of primary endoscopic incision of ureteroceles.

Endoscopic incision of a ureterocele (EIU) is simple when compared to an open procedure such as ureterocele excision with or without an upper-pole nephrectomy. It has, however, the potential to induce vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), which traditionally requires further surgical intervention. The natural history of the VUR that develops following EIU is not known. We have treated asymptomatic VUR that developed following EIU conservatively and have surgically intervened only in cases with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI). This is a review from a single surgeon's practice involving 29 consecutive cases of ureterocele spread over a period of 4 years. The range of follow up was 4-54 months (median 32). Of the 24 children who underwent primary EIU, 6 required a second procedure, 3 a reincision and 3 an open procedure. Of the 3 who had a reincision, 2 required a further open procedure. The indication for reincision was failure of decompression of the upper tract and the indication for an open procedure was recurrent UTI following EIU. Thus, overall success was achieved in 19 of 24 cases of primary EIU (79.2%). VUR following EIU appeared in 10 cases (41%); UTI developed in only 5 (50%) of these 10 cases. Overall, UTI developed in 6 of the 24 (25%) cases of primary EIU. Eight children had an open procedure (3 as a primary procedure and 5 after EIU); 2 (25%) from this group had UTI following the procedure, and interestingly, neither had VUR. Ureterocele incision is thus a good alternative to upper-pole nephrectomy or excision of the ureterocele, especially in infancy. There is an inherent risk of producing VUR in the postincision period, however, the majority of cases can be managed conservatively. All patients need to be monitored for hypertension and UTI following EIU.

Child↗

Neonates with extra-renal pelvis: the first 2 years.

Extra-renal pelvis (ERpel) is a common ultrasonographic finding among neonates who have undergone recurrent ultrasound examinations for a better definition of prenatal renal pelvic dilatation. This study tries to determine whether or not ERpel has important prognostic implications. Seventy-nine neonates (17 female) were examined. All had a diagnosis of prenatal renal pelvis dilatation, which was shown by postnatal ultrasound to be ERpel. Sixty ERpel neonates were examined 1.5 months to 2.5 months after the ultrasound (US) diagnosis by both Tc-99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DPTA) dynamic renal scanning and (99m)Tc-pertechnetate direct cystography. Clinical assessment, urine cultures and renal ultrasound follow-up were maintained for 2 years. The proportion of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with ERpel was compared with that of the total neonatal and infantile population with normal US scans in the region of our hospital. Associated minor congenital malformations were found in 12 of 79 neonates (15.2%). Four had a family history of ERpel. Among 60 neonates who underwent renal scanning, 36 (60%) were found to have urinary retention in the collecting system. Another nine (15%) had vesico-ureteral (VU) reflux, of which seven had urinary retention. Fifteen (25%) showed normal isotope imaging. Urinary tract infection was diagnosed in 16 ERpel neonates in whom only one exhibited VU reflux (grade 2). The incidence of neonatal UTI in the ERpel group was more than that of either neonatal or infantile UTI in those with normal US scans in the local population (20.2% vs 1.2% and 4.3%, respectively). Fifty-three infants completed a 2-year follow-up. Repeat renal ultrasonography indicated that one infant (1.8%) had developed bilateral hydronephrosis, 12 (22.6%) had unchanged findings, 18 (40%) showed an improvement (decrease of ERpel width or resolution in one side) and, in 22 (41.5%) infants, the condition had resolved. No clinical or kidney function deterioration was observed. Seven patients (13.2%) each had one episode of UTI during the 2-year follow-up period; none of them had VU reflux. Neonatal ERpel is more frequent in male infants. It is associated with greater rates of minor congenital malformations, VU reflux and UTI than in the general population of the same ages. The increased UTI incidence is not attributed to VU reflux.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Topical hydrocortisone and physiotherapy for nonretractile physiologic phimosis in infants.

The effect of hydrocortisone (HC), the steroid of lowest potency, and physiotherapy (PT) on non-retractile physiologic phimosis (PP) and the reduction of subsequent recurrent UTI was evaluated in male infants with UTI. Seventy-eight male infants with febrile UTI and nonretractile PP were prospectively randomized into HC (Plancol, n=39) and control (Vaseline, n=39) groups. Topical application of HC as a thin film around the preputial margin twice a day for four weeks with PT was instructed. The response rate in the HC group was 89.7% (35/39), which was significantly higher than the rate (20.5%; 8/39) in the control group (P<0.05). In the HC group, the response rate was much higher (96.1%) in the subgroup with PT than in the group without PT. Most of the response (88.5%) was observed within two weeks. During the following year, the recurrent rate of UTI was 7.1% (2/28) in the infants with retractile prepuces, which was significantly less than than the rate (29.6%; 8/27) in infants with nonretractile prepuces (P<0.05). In conclusion, topical HC and PT for 2-4 weeks proved to be a simple, safe and effective treatment for nonretractile PP in infants with UTI, and this procedure was beneficial in reducing recurrent UTI.

Administration, Topical↗

Circumcision for the prevention of significant bacteriuria in boys.

The aim of this study was to determine whether circumcision affects significant bacteriuria in boys. During a 60-month prospective study, 100 boys with microbiologically confirmed symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) were evaluated. Twelve patients with abnormal ultrasonography findings were excluded from the study. Eighteen of the boys had not been circumcised due to parental choice. The remaining 70 boys with normal renal ultrasonography were randomly allocated into two groups. In the first group 35 boys ranging in age from 6 months to 10 years (mean 33.2+/-30.9 months) were observed for 6 months and urinary cultures were taken monthly. When they had a positive urine culture (with or without any symptoms), they received antibiotic treatment. After 6 months they were circumcised and then observed for another 6-month period. Group 2 comprised 35 boys aged from 3 months to 9 years (mean 29.1+/-36.7 months). They were circumcised immediately after the first UTI and were followed for 6 months. Urine samples were obtained by the bag technique in infants and by the mid-stream technique in older patients. In the uncircumcised group, the rate of significant bacteriuria per patient did not change in two 6-month follow-up periods (3.46+/-0.91 and 3.33+/-0.97 episodes). In group 1, the rate of positive urine cultures dropped from 3.57+/-1.11 to 0.14+/-0.35 episodes after circumcision (P<0.001). In the second group, the rate of significant bacteriuria was 0.17+/-0.38 episodes after circumcision. Among the uncircumcised patients, symptomatic UTI was observed in 6 cases (3 cases in the first period of group 1, 1 case in the first and 2 cases in the second period of the uncircumcised group), whereas after circumcision no patient had symptomatic UTI. The mean age at circumcision was 42.7+/-28.4 months. No complication due to circumcision occurred in any patient. UTI may also occur in boys after the 1st year of life. The present study indicated that circumcision in boys decreases the rate of positive urine cultures. Therefore circumcision could be considered as a part of UTI therapy.

Bacteriuria↗

Intra-alveolar urinary trypsin inhibitor cannot inhibit polymorphonuclear elastase activity in the lung in postsurgical patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrative relationship between polymorphonuclear elastase (PMNE) and urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A total of eight patients who developed ARDS after gastroenterological surgery and eight patients with normal respiratory function during general anesthesia using tracheal intubation were the subjects of this study. BALF was collected from the right middle lobe using saline, and the PMNE and UTI concentrations were measured. The PMNE concentrations were 1277 +/- 1589 ng/ml and 38 +/- 26 ng/ml in the patients with ARDS and those with normal lung function, respectively, and the UTI concentrations were 225 +/- 175 mU/ml and 81 +/- 40 mU/ml, respectively, expressed as mean +/- SD. Based on the UTI concentration which can inhibit PMNE activity, the PMNE concentration in the ARDS patients was not entirely inhibited by UTI. Since only UTI can inhibit PMNE activity in the inflammatory tissues, PMNE in the BALF may induce and aggravate lung injury in ARDS. Thus, we conclude that PMNE released from activated neutrophils in the lung is associated with the development of ARDS.

Aged↗

Clinical significance of bacteriuria with low colony counts of Enterococcus species.

The clinical significance of low counts of enterococci in urine cultures remains unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of enterococci growing in numbers lower than 100,000 colony-forming units per milliliter (cfu/ml) in urine samples. Clinical parameters were collected from patients whose midstream clean-catch urine samples grew Enterococcus spp. in amounts between >or=10,000 and 100,000 cfu/ml and who were not previously treated with antibiotics. Only those patients who had leukocyturia in addition to positive culture were considered to have true urinary tract infection (UTI). Of the 208 patients included in the study, 54% were diagnosed with true UTI. Patients with true UTI were older by 6 years (p=0.03), were more likely to be hospitalized (p=0.016), had higher rates of dysuria (p=0.0001), urgency (p=0.0001), and frequency (p=0.0001), and had more solid tumors (p=0.03). By multivariate analysis, urgency (OR=7.1) and hospitalization (OR=4.4) were identified as independent risk factors for true UTI with enterococci in low counts. Enterococcal counts in patients with true UTI were randomly distributed all along the scale between 10,000 and 100,000 cfu/ml, and no differential cutoff could be determined. In conclusion, more than half of the patients whose urine cultures grow Enterococcus spp. in counts lower than 100,000 cfu/ml may have true UTI, especially if they are hospitalized and have symptoms of dysuria, urgency, or frequency. Microbiology laboratories should perform a complete work-up on samples containing low counts of enterococci, and the final interpretation should be done by physicians, using additional clinical information.

Adult↗

Analysis of cross infection using genomic fingerprinting in nosocomial urinary tract infection caused by Enterococcus faecalis.

To evaluate cross infection and a possible outbreak of Enterococcus faecalis urinary tract infection (UTI) in our urology ward, we studied the DNA fingerprinting of E. faecalis strains isolated from nosocomial UTI patients, in the period 1982-1996, using arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) analysis. The serovar and amplified products of DNA extracted from clinically isolated urinary E. faecalis strains by the AP-PCR method were analyzed, and the respective isolation periods of E. faecalis-positive UTI patients were investigated. There were nine patients with E. faecalis UTI between March and May 1994 and all strains isolated from their urine specimens were serovar type 7. AP-PCR revealed that five of the nine isolates had the same pattern. It appeared that these strains had caused the outbreak of E. faecalis UTI. Cross-infection between patients with E. faecalis UTI was demonstrated by genomic fingerprinting, suggesting that cross infection had occurred via urinary catheters or by hand contact in our ward. We may, therefore, reasonably conclude that we should beware of the transmission of urinary E. faecalis and take countermeasures against its dissemination.

Journal Article↗

Prediction of complicated urinary tract infections in patients with type 2 diabetes: a questionnaire study in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Relatively few data are available to predict a complicated course of community-acquired complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients with diabetes type 2 (DM2). The aim of this study was to assess predictors for a complicated course of UTIs in DM2 patients in primary care. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study among DM2 patients aged over 45 years as part of an educational trial. The combined outcome measure was a complicated course of UTI, defined as a self-reported episode of acute pyelonephritis, prostatitis or recurrent cystitis in the 12 months before the trial. Patients with an outcome were all verified by review of medical records. A prediction model was derived with multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1151 trial participants, 94 (8%) had a self-reported community-acquired complicated course of UTIs and 62 (66%) of these were medically-attended. Independent predictors for a complicated course were age above 60 years (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-3.03), chronic use of antibiotics (adjusted OR: 5.50; 95% CI: 2.31-13.08), more than 6 physician contacts in previous year (adjusted OR: 3.60; 95% CI: 2.00-6.49), hospitalization in previous year (adjusted OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.00-1.85), renal disease (adjusted OR: 4.92; 95% CI: 1.59-15.18) and incontinence of urine (adjusted OR: 3.78; 95% CI: 1.93-7.38). Area under the receiver-operating curve was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.66-0.78). Analysis according to medically attended complicated UTIs did not change our findings. CONCLUSION: Easily obtainable predictors from medical history can be used to accurately predict a complicated course of UTIs in DM2 patients.

Age Factors↗

Managing urinary tract infections in nursing homes: a qualitative assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the steps in the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in elderly nursing home residents, in order to derive data which would assist in an economic evaluation of such infections. METHOD: Maximum variation sampling was used to recruit General Practitioners (GPs) and nurses (who worked in nursing homes), into the study. Using semi-structured interviews, a topic guide was used to explore diagnosis, treatment and the role of GPs and nurses in the management of UTIs in nursing home residents. Thematic analysis was employed to identify the main themes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A comprehensive description of the management of UTIs in nursing home residents that will be used in a future economic evaluation of the costs of this prevalent infection in this setting. RESULTS: Ten GPs and nurses respectively took part in the interviews. Three overarching themes emerged from the interviews: information, processes and decision-making. Health care professionals described the key symptoms for diagnosis (information), testing procedures to confirm the presence of an infection (processes); many variations in management pathways were described. The nurse was central to decision-making in treatment i.e. prescribing of an antibiotic. Most GPs reported that they accepted the nursing staff's assessment of the resident and seldom visited a patient in a nursing home for a UTI. CONCLUSIONS: The management approach to UTIs varied greatly and was a more complex process than anticipated. Identification of the component steps will be used to perform an economic evaluation of UTIs in nursing homes.

Aged↗