[Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute urinary tract problems in women].
BACKGROUND
Available guidelines for the management of symptoms of lower urinary tract infections (UTI) in women give conflicting recommendations.


METHODS
We searched The Cochrane Library, Medline and other sources for evidence that met explicit inclusion criteria for the relevant options and outcomes identified. The validity of included studies was assessed. Draft recommendations were widely circulated and discussed in focus groups with patients and physician assistants.


RESULTS
The probability that a woman with dysuria or frequency has bacteriuria, is 80%. The probability of UTI given a negative result of a dipstick test is 50%. Evidence suggests that antibiotics will rapidly relieve symptoms, but there are limited data from placebo-controlled randomised trials. Population based studies show that many women do not visit physicians for symptoms of UTI. Women with symptoms of UTI can be treated with antibiotics without examination of the urine. Women with earlier episodes of UTI can be offered treatment by telephone. Antibiotics for three days is sufficient based on eradication of bacteriuria. Women should be seen by a physician if the symptoms are atypical.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementing these guidelines could result in better service to women with UTIs. More evidence about the effects of antibiotics and other treatments is needed.
Flottorp
S
S
Seksjon for helsetjenesteforskning Statens institutt for folkehelse, Oslo.
Oxman
A D
AD
Cooper
J G
JG
Hjortdahl
P
P
Sandberg
S
S
Vorland
L H
LH
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents