Cohort studies have found no adverse outcomes for older men or women associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Antimicrobial treatment studies for asymptomatic bacteriuria in older adults demonstrate no benefits and show increased adverse antimicrobial effects. Consensus criteria has been developed to characterize the specific clinical symptoms that, when associated with bacteriuria, define urinary tract infection. Screening for and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria is recommended before urologic procedures for which mucosal bleeding is anticipated.
Sources:
Abrutyn E, et al. Does asymptomatic bacteriuria predict mortality and does antimicrobial treatment reduce mortality in elderly ambulatory women? Ann Intern Med. 1994 May 15;120(10):827-33. PMID: 7818631.
Nicolle LE. Asymptomatic bacteriuria in the elderly. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1997 Sep;11(3):647-62. PMID: 9378928.
Nicolle LE, et al. Infectious diseases society of America guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Mar 1;40(5):643-54. PMID: 15714408.
Nordenstam GR, et al. Bacteriuria and mortality in an elderly population. N Engl J Med. 1986 May 1;314(18):1152-6. PMID: 3960089.
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: Antibiotics for Urinary Tract Infections in Older People: When you need them and when you don’t