Top Ten Myths Regarding the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections

Diagnosis of urinary tract infection in older persons in the emergency department: To pee or not to pee, that is the question

“…Falls may be associated with UTI in the setting of urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia and incontinence . However, there is no routine indication for urine testing in those presenting with a fall without localising urinary symptoms …”

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in the Gynecologic Practice: Time for Reviewing Concepts and Management

“…Diagnosis should be based on clinical symptoms whenever possible, and confirmed by positive urine microscopy and culture. 1 Quantitative colony counts should not be used to guide therapy in asymptomatic patients. In symptomatic women, colony counts of > 100,000 colony-forming units/ ml are usually clinically relevant.…”

“…There are many myths that have been maintained on the interpretation of patient symptoms and laboratory results that lead to the overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria. 1 Urine color and clarity or odor should not be used alone to diagnose or start antibiotic therapy in any patient population. 1 There is also a wide variation in the interpretation of urinalyses among different providers.…”

“…Some exceptions include: pregnancy and any urologic procedure with bleeding, such as urinary tract stenting. 1 Recent evidence suggests that in younger women with RUTI that bacteriuria may be "protective" for future UTIs with more pathogenic organisms. 1 Unnecessary treatment with antibiotics can also increase the resistance of the bacteria that cause UTIs, making antibiotics less effective for future use.…”

“…The accurate diagnosis and treatment of UTIs play an important role in cost-effective medical care and appropriate antimicrobial utilization. 1 Antimicrobial resistance is a global issue, and concerns have been raised that some infections for which therapy is now available might become untreatable. 2 The widespread empiric use of antibiotics, while convenient, potentially contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance.…”