Antibiotic prescribing and urinary tract infection

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Infectious Diseases
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in primary care.
• Effective diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent complications and antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess primary care physicians' diagnostic and therapeutic practices for UTIs and acute urethritis in Samsun, Turkey.
• To identify areas for improvement in UTI management within primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2083 patient visits across eight primary care centers.
• Inclusion criteria: patients with acute cystitis, recurrent UTIs, acute pyelonephritis, and acute urethritis.
• Data collection on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including antibiotic prescribing patterns.

Main Results:

• UTIs and acute urethritis were diagnosed in 20.1% of the 2083 visits.
• Antibiotics were prescribed in 94.7% of UTI cases.
• Only 41% of antibiotic prescriptions followed recommended dosage, interval, and duration guidelines.
• Urinary antiseptics were used in 75% of UTI patients, suggesting polypharmacy.

Conclusions:

• Primary care physicians in the region exhibit suboptimal prescribing practices for UTIs and acute urethritis.
• There is a significant need for enhanced physician education on rational antibiotic use and evidence-based UTI treatment guidelines.
• Polypharmacy is prevalent, highlighting the importance of reviewing and updating diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for UTIs.