UTI Myths and Misconceptions

EMKF #FOAMed

  • UTI is a clinical diagnosis, not a laboratory one. Dysuria plus urinary frequency in the absence of symptoms of STI is diagnostic.
  • Most patients with a clinical picture consistent with a lower UTI do not require urine tests.
  • The indications for urine tests for suspected lower UTI include immunocompromised patients, history of multiple courses of antimicrobial therapy, history of antibiotic resistance and history of multiple drug allergies.
  • While bacteria seen on microscopy is predictive of a positive culture, it is not necessarily diagnostic of a UTI as the positive culture could represent a contaminant or asymptomatic bacteriuria.
  • A common pitfall is treating non-pregnant patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria with antibiotics. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is very common in all age groups and is often misdiagnosed as a UTI.
  • Do not routinely treat catheterized patients found to have pyuria or candida in their urine.
  • A common pitfall is to assume that the cause of altered level of awareness in an elderly is a UTI upon finding pyuria or bacteriuria on urinalysis leading to premature closure and missing a more serious diagnosis.
  • Imaging is not routinely required for patients suspected clinically of pyelonephritis.
  • Cranberry juice, direction of wiping and voiding post intercourse are not effective in preventing recurrent UTIs
  • 3-5 days duration of therapy is sufficient for the vast majority of lower UTI

 

EMKF

Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF) is a not-for-profit (NGO) public benefit organisation registered in Kenya