A study of comorbidities, laboratory profile and the etiologies of urinary tract infection in elderly in a tertiary care hospital in north Karnataka

Authors

  • Naveen S Kulkarni Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
  • Neelakanth S Patil Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
  • Bhanuprathap Junior resident in department of General Medicine, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

Keywords:

Urine, Infection, Elderly

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria in elderly are commonly seen. In admitted geriatric patients, the risk of UTI is due to various characteristics such as anatomical and hormonal changes, and the presence of diabetes mellitus and neurological and urological abnormalities. UTI is many a times misdiagnosed because of non specific symptoms. Falls are often considered a reason for urine testing, but the association between falls and UTIs is controversial. In the absence of classic symptoms and positive urine cultures, there is often unnecessary prescription of antibiotic therapy. This study aims to find the risk factors, laboratory and etiological profile. Methods: This is a retrospective study, ninety seven cases of UTI in elderly admitted in General Medicine department at SDMCMSH,SDM university, Dharwad. UTI was diagnosed considering clinical features, blood, urine examinations and radiological evaluation.It is a retrospective, observational, non comparative, non randomized, analytical study. The descriptive statistical analysis was done. Results: Diabetes mellitus is the most common risk factor. Pyuria, leucocytosis, renal injury and raised C reactive proteins are noted. Gram negative organisms are the most causes. The radiological findings noted were prostatomegaly, pyelonephritis, renal or ureteric calculus, polycystic kidneys. Conclusion: UTI in elderly presents with typical or atypical features. A significant diagnostic difficulty exists in differentiating between ASB and UTI in older people. Multiple co morbidities and geriatric syndromes are commonly seen in such individuals. The diagnosis requires comprehensive work up rather than specific diagnostic tests. The treatmentdone after ruling out other possible source of infections, reduces the morbidity and mortality.

Downloads

Published

2021-09-17

How to Cite

Naveen S Kulkarni, Neelakanth S Patil, & Bhanuprathap. (2021). A study of comorbidities, laboratory profile and the etiologies of urinary tract infection in elderly in a tertiary care hospital in north Karnataka. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 4(16), 279–282. Retrieved from https://www.ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/2666