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Urinary Tract Infection in a Small Animal Model: Transurethral Catheterization of Male and Female Mice
Published on: December 1, 2017
Urinary tract infections in the elderly population.
S James Matthews1, Jason W Lancaster
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. s.matthews@neu.edu
The American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
|August 16, 2011
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in the elderly, presenting with varied symptoms. Management often mirrors younger adults but requires careful consideration of individual patient factors and local antibiotic resistance for effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Urology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are highly prevalent in the elderly, ranging from simple cystitis to severe pyelonephritis.
- In long-term care facilities and hospitals, UTIs are the leading cause of infection in older adults.
- Elderly patients may exhibit atypical UTI symptoms such as lethargy and delirium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the management of various UTIs in the elderly, including asymptomatic bacteriuria and catheter-associated infections.
- To discuss antibiotic resistance patterns and prophylaxis strategies for recurrent UTIs in older men and women.
- To highlight the need for improved diagnostic and management guidelines tailored to the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of major databases including MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, BIOSIS, and EMBASE (1966-2011).
- Inclusion of publications identified through citation tracking.
- Keywords encompassed UTIs, asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis, pyelonephritis, antibiotic resistance, and elderly populations.
Main Results:
- UTI prevalence in elderly women is higher in institutional settings than in the community.
- Current UTI management in the elderly generally aligns with recommendations for younger adults.
- Treatment decisions necessitate consideration of illness severity, comorbidities, living situation, and local resistance patterns.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for enhanced diagnostic and management guidelines for UTIs specifically in the elderly.
- Advancements in diagnostic tools and catheter technology are required to improve prevention of catheter-associated UTIs.
- Developing alternative prophylactic methods for recurrent UTIs is essential to combat antibiotic resistance.
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