Asymptomatic bacteriuria in a population of elderly in municipal institutional care.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) among patients in municipal institutional care for the elderly.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Three different municipalities in southern Sweden.


METHODS
237 elderly people in municipal institutional care.


METHODS
Positive urine cultures.


RESULTS
In the first culture, the prevalence of bacteriuria was 42%; 47% for women and 30% for men. ABU occurred in 23% of the patients; in 26% of women and in 16% of men. Urinary incontinence was more common among patients with ABU.


CONCLUSIONS
Bacteriuria is common among elderly people living in institutions. This should be borne in mind when patents in institutional care for the elderly have fever. Other differential diagnoses than urinary tract infection should be considered before antibiotic treatment is given.
Hedin
Katarina
K
R&D Kronoberg County Council, Växjö, Sweden. katarina.hedin@ltkronoberg.se
Petersson
Christer
C
Widebäck
Kristina
K
Kahlmeter
Gunnar
G
Mölstad
Sigvard
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015995:Prevalence; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000652:urine