Authors' objectives:

The objective of this report is to analyze the evidence on selected aspects of the prevention and management of urinary tract infections in paralyzed persons. The two populations most commonly affected are persons having spinal cord injury (SCI) and people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Authors' recommendations: Febrile episodes are associated with the later occurrence of upper tract complications. Intermittent catheterization is associated with a lower risk of urinary tract infections. The regular use of antibiotic prophylaxis for most patients with spinal cord dysfunction cannot be supported. Future research should focus in the areas of (1) prospective cohort studies to assess the short-term and long-term significance of signs, symptoms, and laboratory findings (level of bacteriuria and type of organism, pyuria, others); (2) large, multicenter prospective studies of risk factors potentially modifiable risk factors, in particular for urinary tract infection; and (3) randomized controlled trials in the subgroup of patients who have frequent, recurrent urinary tract infections that limit their functioning. Studies should include both SCI and MS patients, where feasible, and state-of-the-art methods for maximizing the quality of the study designs should be employed.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/

Year Published: 1999

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Contact Address: Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;

Contact Name: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Contact Email: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Copyright: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)