Acute cystitis in women: experience with a telephone-based algorithm.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Infectious Diseases
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Acute cystitis, a common lower urinary tract infection (UTI), often requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
• Traditional management involves in-person visits, potentially leading to delays and increased healthcare burdens.
• Telemedicine offers a potential solution for efficient and accessible UTI management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term (60-day) outcomes of a telephone-based protocol for managing women with acute cystitis symptoms.
• To assess the effectiveness and safety of a guideline-based algorithm for remote patient evaluation and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records for 273 women with acute cystitis symptoms.
• Evaluation of a guideline-based algorithm for telephone-based assessment and treatment.
• Tracking of patient outcomes, including recurrent or persistent symptoms and adverse events.

Main Results:

• The telephone protocol was used for 273 women, with 75.4% treated without urinalysis or cultures.
• Over 60 days, 16.8% of patients experienced recurrent or persistent urinary tract symptoms.
• A low incidence of pyelonephritis (2.2%) and no other identified adverse events were observed.

Conclusions:

• A telephone-based nurse evaluation and treatment algorithm can effectively manage most women with uncomplicated lower UTIs.
• This telemedicine approach demonstrates safety and efficiency, reducing the need for in-person diagnostics.
• The protocol supports successful management of acute cystitis, minimizing adverse outcomes.