Authors
Emily Cooper, Brieze Read, Leigh Sanyaolu, Haroon Ahmed, Donna Lecky
Publication date
2023
Description
Background: Multiple factors may influence women’s experiences of urinary tract infection (UTI) and its clinical management.
Aim: To explore how women’s background, symptoms, and severity of symptoms influence UTI reporting and management.
Design & setting: Internet questionnaire targeting women in England, focusing on UTI symptoms, care seeking, and management.
Method: A total of 1096 women aged≥ 16 years with UTI symptoms in the previous year completed the questionnaire in March and April 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was ued to estimate the odds of relevant outcomes while adjusting for background characteristics. Results: Women with children in their household, who were aged under 45 years, or who were married or cohabitating were more likely to experience UTI symptoms. The odds of antibiotic prescribing were lower if women reported dysuria (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.49 to 0.85), frequency (AOR= 0.63, 95% CI= 0.48 to 0.83), or vaginal discharge (AOR= 0.69, 95% CI= 0.50 to 0.96), but higher if reporting haematuria (AOR= 2.81, 95% CI= 1.79 to 4.41), confusion (AOR= 2.14, 95% CI= 1.16 to 3.94), abdominal pain (AOR= 1.35, 95% CI= 1.04 to 1.74), or systemic symptoms (AOR= 2.04, 95% CI= 1.56 to 2.69). Those with abdominal pain or two or more of nocturia, dysuria, or cloudy urine had lower odds of receiving a delayed antibiotic, while those with incontinence, confusion, unsteadiness, or low temperature had higher odds of a delayed prescription. Increasing symptom severity was associated with greater odds of receiving antibiotics. Conclusion: Except for reduced …
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