BACTERIURIA IN A POPULATION-SAMPLE OF WOMEN - PREVALENCE, CHARACTERISTICS, RESULTS OF TREATMENT, AND PROGNOSIS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 208  (6) , 417-423
Abstract
The prevalence of bacteriuria was studied in a population sample of women [in Goteborg, Sweden] aged 38-60. Significant (.gtoreq. 100,000 bacteria/ml of the same species in 2 consecutive specimens) or probable bacteriuria (.gtoreq. 100,000 in the 1st and 20,000-90,000 bacteria/ml of the same organism in the 2nd specimen) were found in 5% of the women, increasing from 3.5% in women aged 38 to 8.6% in women aged 60. Escherichia coli predominated (90% of those with significant bacteriuria) and 91% of the E. coli strains were sensitive to sulfonamides. About half of the women who were non-bacteriuric after short-term treatment had 1 or more recurrent urinary tract infections during a 2 yr follow-up period. Serum creatinine and urine concentrating capacity did not differentiate women with significant or probable bacteriuria from the others. Pathological radiological changes were found in 17% of bacteriuric women who were submitted to i.v. pyelography. When re-examined 6 yr after the 1st study, 23% of initially bacteriuric and 5% of initially non-bacteriuric women had bacteriuria. Patients with renal lesions were followed for 10 yr but none of them has developed progressive renal impairment. Three women with chronic pyelonephritis and acute pyelonephritic attacks in the past were discovered when screening the concentrating capacity in this population sample but they were non-bacteriuric when screening for bacteriuria. A study of this kind must be conducted over many years before valid conclusions can be drawn.