Epidemiology and management of urological emergencies in a tertiary care setting in Scandinavia

To develop a baseline database detailing the distribution of urological emergencies and to define their epidemiological profile in a tertiary care setting, with the hope of providing important data for health planning.

A retrospective study was conducted on all patients presenting with urological emergencies at the Emergency Department (ED) of the NU Hospital Group in Trollhättan, Sweden throughout 2019. Medical records of identified patients were reviewed retrospectively to summarize pertinent information.

In 2019, 2 433 patients visited the ED with urological complaints, with 71% being male. Most patients (83%) were self-referred and 15% referred by general practitioners (GPs). Loin pain, infectious symptoms, and lower urinary tract symptoms were the most common complaints. Urinary and genital infections (UGIs) were the most frequent diagnoses (37%), followed by urolithiasis (24%). 28% of patients required admission, particularly for UGIs (42%). Self-referred patients had a higher admission rate compared to those referred by GPs. Radiological investigations were performed in 48% of cases, though 65% showed no urological pathology.

Most patients self-referred to the ED, and many required hospitalization, particularly for UGIs. Enhancing the management of urological emergencies in primary care and refining guidelines for acute imaging could contribute to more efficient use of healthcare resources.