Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was investigation of ASB prevalence and the relation for development of UTI in the people aged over 65 living in three nursing homes in Izmir province, Turkey.
Methods: The people aged over 65 in three nursing homes in Izmir, who did not suffer from any urinary system symptoms, on whom no urinary catheterizations were applied within the last 15 days, and who had not received any antibacterial treatments for the last one week for any reason, were included in the study between 2003 and 2004. First urine specimens were collected in the morning and the second were collected 24 to 48 hours later. ASB were included in clinical follow-up for six months and whether or not any UTI developed was recorded at intervals. At the third month, however, it was investigated whether ASB continued in patients or not. Patients were also examined in terms of ASB facilitating factors at same time.
Results: ASB was detected in 146 (24.1%) of 606 patients and more frequent in females than males (%27.8 vs. %18.6; p=0.009). The prevalence of ASB increased by age and length of stay in the nursing home. UTI was not developed and no death occurred in any of the patients during the follow-up period. At the third follow up month, it was observed that the ASB except Proteus spp. continued likewise.
Conclusion: The ASB prevalence was found as quite high in elderly in our country. Direct or indirect relationship between ASB and UTI has not been established.