Asymptomatic bacteriuria in a multiracial workforce

Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was determined in the first morning urine specimens from 5669 people who participated in a health screening survey of a local workforce. Higher age-standardized prevalences were observed in Maori women (18.0%), compared with Pacific Island women (9.8%) and European women (8.7%). Similarly, higher prevalences were observed in Maori men (3.2%), compared with Pacific Island men (0.7%) and European men (1.3%). After controlling for age and gender, the relative risk for asymptomatic bacteriuria in Maori people was estimated to be 2.22 times that for non-Maori people (associated 95% CI: 1.54-3.18). Significant associations of bacteriuria included a past history of myocardial infarction, a past history of kidney disease, absence of tertiary education, and impaired glucose tolerance. The most common pathogens, isolated from a subsample of 1660 participants, were Escherichia coli, 27 cases (50.9%), and Streptococcal sp, 14 cases (26.4%).