Community-acquired urinary tract infection in the elderly | British Journal of Medical Practitioners

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) in the elderly poses a very serious problem. The knowledge of microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility of micro-organisms causing the disease is vital for defining the empirical treatment. There are no large-scale studies on the same from India. Aim: To find out the common presenting symptomatology and risk factors associated with UTI and distribution of isolated uropathogens and their resistance pattern. Settings and design: Prospective study done in a tertiary care centre in Bangalore. Methods and material: The study included elderly patients aged 65 years and above who were admitted, or visited the outpatient departments in the hospital, and had confirmed UTI. Results and conclusions: Fever (57/194 - 29.4%) and dysuria (52/194 - 26.8%) were the most common symptoms of UTI. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was the most common risk factor associated with UTI. Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli (E.coli) (93/194 - 47.94%) was the most commonly isolated pathogen. Of the total, 56.2% of the uropathogens showed ESBL positivity. Overall, the highest antibiotic resistance was recorded for Fluoroquinolones (79.9%).