Relapsing significant bacteriuria: effect on urinary tract infection in patients with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether there is a relation between relapsing significant asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), and to determine the frequency rate of UTI in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) using indwelling catheters (IC).

DESIGN

Cohort study. Patients were followed up for 24 to 270 days (mean, 66.3 +/- 42.2).

SETTING

A department of physical therapy and rehabilitation in a research hospital of a university referral center.

PATIENTS: Fifty patients with SCI using IC. Patients with severe concurrent illness, known vesicouretheral reflux, urinary calculi, and severely disturbed renal function were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Symptomatic UTI, relapsing ASB, and recurrent significant ASB.

RESULTS

There was significant difference between relapsing ASB and recurrent ASB with regard to occurring symptomatic UTI (chi 2, 4.92; p < .03). Symptomatic UTI was observed at a rate of 9.35, relapsing ASB 35.59, and recurrent ASB 55.80 per 1,000 patient-days.

CONCLUSION

Relapsing ASB is an important factor in the development of symptomatic UTI.