| Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections in women, and increase incidence
after menopause. It is important to uncover underlying abnormalities or modifiable risk factors. Objective: to assess the risk
factors for urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women. Methods: In this prospective observational analysis, all
postmenopausal patients presented with UTI in 6 months in Karuna Medical College Hospital, Vilayodi were included.
Data regarding their demographics, past medical and medication history, signs and symptoms and laboratory data obtained
from all patients. The collected data was compiled and data analysis was performed. Results: Out of 66 patients enrolled in
the study, diabetes (48.48%) was found to be the major risk factor. Hypertension (42.42%), decreased water intake
(37.87%), history of premenopausal UTI (34.84%), wiping wrong way after toilet use (30.30%), use of indwelling catheter
(25.75%), holding urine (22.72%), nosocomial infections (19.69%), and urinary incontinence (18.18%) are found to be
some of the predisposing factors for UTI in postmenopausal women. Conclusion: there are several risk factor for UTI in
postmenopausal women and the leading cause was found to be diseases like diabetes, hypertension and behavioural
features like holding urine, wiping the wrong way, decreased water intake, other structural and anatomical risk factors like
atrophic vaginitis, cystocele, urolithiasis and uterine prolapseddd |
