[Urinary tract infection by Candida species]

To determine the frequency and characteristics of urinary tract infection (UTI) by Candida in diabetic patients (with and without symptoms) and to compare them with non-diabetic patients (with and without symptoms).

Longitudinal, descriptive, and observational study.

Study conducted at the "Dr Ignacio Chavez" Clinic of family medicine, ISSSTE: Mexico.

There were 2 kinds of patients; 1 with diabetes mellitus diagnosis (DM) with and without clinical picture of probable urinary tract infection (UTI), and 1 without DM and with and without clinical picture of probable UTI.

A urine culture and a confidential questionnaire were administered to find the presence of urinary symptoms and likely risk factors associated with the infection. To associate these risks, the chi2 statistical method was used, with significance at 95% and Fisher's Exact Test for small frequencies, using the EpiInfo V.6.0 program.

Two hundred thirty seven patients between 28 and 82 years old were included. The prevalence of urinary infection by Candida was 5.1%, but only 33% of these had C albicans. There was no association between candidiasis and factors like age, sex, or presence of DM, but it was related to previous treatments, previous UTI and the evolution time of DM.

The conscious search by both doctor and laboratory for Candida micro-organisms as factors causing UTI is important. This is especially so in those patients with factors of risk that may condition Candida's presence.