Urinary tract infections profile of the hospitalized elderly in a Geriatric Ward <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Aims: Urinary tract infections are the most frequent bacterial infections in the elderly, Escherichia coli usually being the related patogen. Quinolones are often used for this condition and show increased frequencies o bacterial resistance, mainly in complicated infections. The aim of this study is to identify the microorganisms causing urinary tract infections in elderly inpatients as well as their antibiotic resistance pattern. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study including all patients admitted between May and October 2007 in the Geriatric Ward of Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS with a documented urinary tract infection. Results: Thirty two cases of urinary tract infection were diagnosed. Mean age of the patients was 79.8 years and 72% were female. Delirium was the most frequent clinical manifestation. One third of the infections was diagnosed in the first 72 hours of hospitalization. Indwelling catheters were associated to 41% of the infections. The most frequent identified bacteria was Escherichia coli, in 62% of the cases. Quinolones resistance was observed in 42% of the isolates. Prolonged hospitalization, recent antibiotic exposure and urinary incontinence were significantly associated to bacterial resistance. Conclusions: Escherichia coli was the commonest isolate of the urinary tract infections of elderly in the Geriatric Ward of Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS. There was a high bacterial resistance to quinolonas in this population. KEYWORDS: URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS; AGED; DRUG RESISTANCE, BACTERIAL; FLUOROQUINOLONES; INPATIENTS.