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Urinary tract infection in older adults
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, USA.
Clinics in Geriatric Medicine
|May 23, 1998
Summary
Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in older adults but is not harmful and does not require treatment. Symptomatic urinary tract infections in older adults, however, necessitate antibiotic therapy.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Urology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent in older adults.
- Most older adults with bacteriuria (bacteria in urine) are asymptomatic.
- Bacteriuria prevalence is influenced by living situation and functional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical significance of asymptomatic bacteriuria in older adults.
- To determine the association between bacteriuria and mortality.
- To provide guidance on the management of bacteriuria in this population.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on bacteriuria in older adults.
- Analysis of prevalence data based on living situation and functional status.
- Assessment of mortality risk associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Main Results:
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a benign condition in older adults.
- Asymptomatic bacteriuria is not an independent risk factor for mortality.
- Symptomatic UTIs, both lower and upper tract, require antibiotic treatment.
Conclusions:
- Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in older adults is generally not indicated.
- Focus should be on diagnosing and treating symptomatic urinary tract infections.
- Clinical management should differentiate between asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic UTIs.