How Predictable Are Urinary Tract Infections?

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 17 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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It is expected that women will experience urinary tract infections (UTIs) at least twice during their lifetime. If a test existed that could predict UTIs, health care providers and patients would benefit. In the February 2008 issue of Urologic Nursing, Deborah Kuklinski and Sumana Koduri explore using urine dipsticks, an in-office test, to predict UTI.

Kuklinski and Koduri say a urine dipstick positive for nitrites (produced by bacteria in a UTI) implies UTI, but the urine culture, which takes longer and is more expensive, is the gold standard for a positive diagnosis. If the urine dipstick could be used to diagnose a UTI, say the authors, treatment could begin immediately. They found that despite associating urine dipsticks and urine cultures positive for nitrites, 40%-50% of the UTIs would have been missed without the urine culture due to the sensitivity of the bacteria.

Although Kuklinski and Koduri couldn't conclude the urine dipstick accurately diagnosed UTI, their study indicates the urine culture is still important for diagnosis and treatment. They recommend practitioners continue to use the urine culture and offer patient education on UTI symptoms.

Predicting Urinary Tract Infections in a Urogynecology Population
Deborah Kuklinski, MS, RNC, WHNP; Sumana Koduri, MD
Urologic Nursing; February 2008
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