AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE.

Abstract

Background

Considering the compromised immunity and increased virulence of the pathogenic microorganisms in diabetics, they are more susceptible to infections. Especially, urinary tract infections affect the renal functioning of diabetics.

Methods

This was an observational comparative study conducted for 26 months. The people with positive urinary cultures with diabetes and without diabetes were recruited for the study. The haematological analysis was done along with fasting sugar, postprandial sugar, and glycosylated haemoglobin. The demography of the participants was recorded. Patients who had positive urine cultures underwent X-rays and ultrasounds to confirm the presence of infection. The susceptibilities of the microorganisms were studied. The data obtained was compared statistically.

Results

Out of the 181 patients, 117 were found to have E. coli. The predisposing factor for males was benign prostrate hypertrophy; for females, it was an indwelling catheter. Patients with HbA1c levels less than 6.5% become more vulnerable to urinary tract infections. E. coli was found to be susceptible to ampicillin, norfloxacin, cotrimoxazole, and cephalosporin. Fever was the most common symptom among diabetics with a UTI.

Conclusion

The host factors found to be associated with UTI are female sex, the presence of diabetes, poor glycaemic control, and the presence of fever. An elevated HbA1C correlates with the occurrence of UTI. The most common uropathogenic was E. coli.

Recommendation

Diabetics should be routinely and thoroughly monitored for the presence of urinary tract infections. Especially if HbA1c is less than 6.5%.