Urinary tract infections in the non-pregnant woman

Abstract

Infections of the urinary tract are common problems encountered in primary care and specialty care practice. There are an estimated seven to eight million physician visits for acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections and more than one million hospitalizations annually in the United States [1]. They account for over US$1 billion in health care costs annually in the United States [2]. This figure would be much higher if other costs were included such as laboratory tests, outpatient-therapy, and missed days from work or school. Women are more afflicted by urinary tract infections compared to men except at the extremes of age. Indeed, urinary tract infections are the most frequent bacterial infection in women. Approximately half of adult women report an experience with urinary tract infection at some point in their lives [3]. Of women who experience an initial infection, 25-30% will have recurrent episodes [4]. Women with recurrent urinary tract infections account for a significant portion of referrals to gynecologists, urologists, and urogynecologists. © 2006 Springer-Verlag London Limited.