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Review
. 2015 Nov;42(4):561-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2015.07.002. Epub 2015 Aug 19.

Bacteruria and Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly

Keri Detweiler  1 , Daniel Mayers  1 , Sophie G Fletcher  2
Affiliations
Review

Bacteruria and Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly

Keri Detweiler et al. Urol Clin North Am. 2015 Nov.

Abstract

Both urinary tract infection (UTI) and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) are common problems among elderly adults and represent a significant health care burden. Despite their frequency, differentiating between ASB and true UTI remains controversial among health care providers. Several challenges exist in the evaluation of urinary symptoms in the elderly patient. Symptoms of UTI are variable; problems are encountered in the collection, testing, and interpretation of urine specimens; and results of urinalysis are often misinterpreted and mishandled. Multiple studies have shown no morbidity or mortality benefit to antibiotic therapy in either community or long-term care facility residents with ASB.

Keywords: Asymptomatic bacteriuria; Bacteriuria; Cystitis; Pyuria; Urinary tract infection.

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