Prospective cohort study on hospitalised patients with suspected urinary tract infection and risk factors por multidrug resistance

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections and a frequent cause for hospitalization in the elderly. The aim of our study was to analyse epidemiological, microbiological, therapeutic, and prognostic of elderly hospitalised patients with and to determine independent risk factors for multidrug resistance and its outcome implications. A single-centre observational prospective cohort analysis of 163 adult patients hospitalized for suspected symptomatic UTI in the Departments of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Short-Stay Medical Unit of a tertiary hospital was conducted. Most patients currently admitted to hospital for UTI are elderly and usually present high comorbidity and severe dependence. More than 55% met sepsis criteria but presented with atypical symptoms. Usual risk factors for multidrug resistant pathogens were frequent. Almost one out of five patients had been hospitalized in the 90 days prior to the current admission and over 40% of patients had been treated with antibiotic in the previous 90 days. Infection by MDR bacteria was independently associated with the previous stay in nursing homes or long-term care facilities (LTCF) (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.17–29.00), permanent bladder catheter (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.00–12.50) and urinary incontinence (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.04–6.68). The degree of dependence and comorbidity, female sex, obesity, and bacteraemia were independent predictors of longer hospital stay. The epidemiology and presentation of UTIs requiring hospitalisation is changing over time. Attention should be paid to improve management of urinary incontinence, judicious catheterisation, and antibiotic therapy.