Urinary Infection Management in Frail or Comorbid Older Individuals.

Eur Urol Focus

Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Urology and Kidney Transplantation, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany.

Published: September 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in older people, especially if they are already weak or have other health problems.
  • Many older individuals might have bacteria in their urine without feeling sick, and this usually doesn't need treatment.
  • When diagnosing UTIs in older people, doctors should look for unusual signs and consider other health issues to ensure they don't misdiagnose it, and treatment plans need to be adjusted based on their other medications and health risks.

Article Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common among older individuals, especially those with frailty and comorbidity. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is also common in this group and does not require treatment. UTI diagnosis is complicated by atypical signs and symptoms such as confusion or functional decline. This necessitates a more holistic assessment according to a diagnostic algorithm that includes nonspecific symptoms to avoid overdiagnosis or underdiagnosis. Treatment strategies for UTI in older people generally align with those for younger people, with some exceptions. Prophylaxis is similar to that for postmenopausal women. However, it is crucial to carefully consider comorbidities, polypharmacy, and the risk of potential adverse events. PATIENT SUMMARY: We provide recommendations for the management of urinary tract infection (UTI) in older individuals who are frail and have multiple medical conditions. These patients may have signs and symptoms that are not typical for UTI. Treatment plans for these vulnerable patients should take interactions with other drugs and possible side effects into account.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2024.08.007DOI Listing

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