title: Prevalence of "low-count" bacteriuria in female urinary incontinence versus continent female controls: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Older studies suggesting an association between detrusor overactivity and bacteriuria used an outdated microbiological threshold. We hypothesised that bacteriuria ≥10(3) CFU/ml would be more prevalent in women with urinary incontinence than continent controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, cross-sectional study of prevalence of bacteriuria ≥10(3) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml on catheter specimens. Sample estimates suggested 62 women per arm would yield 80% power. Multivariate regression analysis was performed using risk factors including, age, diabetes, menopausal status, sexual activity and cystocele.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 213 participants, bacteriuria ≥10(3) CFU/ml was more prevalent in incontinent women than continent controls (odds ratio [OR] 4.06; p = 0.036). Two thirds of bacteriuric specimens grew "low-count" bacteriuria. On multivariate analysis, only cystocele ≥ grade II was independently associated with bacteriuria (p = 0.025). On sub-analysis by diagnosis, the only significant finding was with bladder oversensitivity (OR 13.8; p = 0.0017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bacteriuria, including "low-count" bacteriuria, is more prevalent in urinary incontinence when compared to continent female controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urogynaecology, St George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Colin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siddins
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.forename: Chinmoy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mukerjee
authors.forename: Kate H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D057785:Catheters / Q000382:microbiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*