Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections Using the EQ-5D-3L in Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE: Community-acquired urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is a common and costly condition in females. Currently, there are no data on CA-UTI and quality of life (QoL) in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of UTI and related socio-demographic characteristics on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Saudi females using the EuroQol 5-Dimension, 3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) instrument before and after treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary hospital over a three-month period. RESULTS: A total of 339 out of 524 females with a mean age of 36.2 years (SD: 9.57 years; range 19–59 years) completed both the baseline and follow-up questionnaires of the EQ-5D-3L for a response rate of 64.7%. The baseline utility index for the worst health state “33333” was −0.495 representing 1.18% of the patients, and the full health state “11111” was 1 corresponding to 30.68% of the patients. The utility index after treatment for the moderate health state “22222” was 0.524 corresponding to 0.88% of the total patients, and the full health state “11111” was 1 corresponding to 80.24% of the patients. The mean EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) was 73 ± 26 before treatment and 87.46 ± 18.55 after treatment. The frequency of patients reporting problems in the EQ-5D dimensions of mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression decreased following treatment (27.43% vs 0.88%, 4.42% vs 0.88%, 25.96% vs 6.78%, 61.95% vs 13.27%, 39.52% vs 15.63%, respectively; all P < 0.001). There were statistically significant associations between HRQoL and socio-demographic characteristics, chronic diseases, and herbal supplements. CONCLUSION: Community-acquired tract infections (CA-UTIs) have a significant negative impact on the HRQoL of Saudi females with a varying effect depending on the socio-demographic characteristics and chronic diseases.