Treatment of bacteriuria in older adults: still room for improvement.

摘要

Infections of the genitourinary tract are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults. Rates of septicemia in the United States increased from 83 cases per 100,000 persons in 1979 to 240 cases per 100,000 persons in 2000. Persons older than 65 accounted for 65% of the cases and a genitourinary source of infection is identified in 25% to 50% of affected individuals. Nevertheless, bacteriuria in older adults is largely asymptomatic and should not be treated under this circumstance, as antibiotics do not improve clinical outcomes and only serve to expose these individuals to potential drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and risk of becoming colonized with resistant bacteria.