Risk factors, demographic profiles, and management of uncomplicated recurrent urinary tract infections: a single institution study

Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) are a common urologic chief complaint. Although rUTIs are a significant burden on the healthcare system, until recently there were no published guidelines to delineate optimal management of this condition. The objective of this study was to describe the demographic profile of rUTI patients and summarize practice patterns at a single tertiary health center, as well as to assess whether our real-life practice patterns parallel the recently published guidelines.

We conducted a retrospective record review of female patients presenting for diagnosis of uncomplicated rUTI/cystitis between October 2010 and September 2018. Analyses were conducted to investigate (a) whether pre- versus postmenopausal women differed in their risk factors for rUTI, (b) whether providers adjust their practice patterns when treating pre- versus postmenopausal women with rUTIs, and (c) whether certain treatment regimens led to lower rates of rUTI than others.

Of the 125 cases included in the final analysis, pre- versus postmenopausal women did differ in their risk factors for rUTI, specifically age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and comorbidities. Although common treatments were found across menopausal status, providers did adjust their practice patterns when treating pre- versus postmenopausal women, including the use of postcoital suppression, conservative measures, cranberry juice/extract, and probiotics for premenopausal women and daily suppression and vaginal estrogens for postmenopausal women. rUTI after treatment (<40%) was highest after the use of conservative measures for all women and rates of rUTI after treatment generally did not differ as a function of menopausal status, but rather by treatment option.

This single institution report sheds light on practice patterns at a major academic center, specifically as it compares to the new American Urological Association guidelines and the use of estrogen cream for postmenopausal women.