Prevalence and clinical management of complicated urinary tract infections in Italy: A prospective multicenter epidemiological study in urological outpatients

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of complicated urinary tract infections among Italian patients attending the urologist's office, to describe the frequency of different complication factors, the encountered bacterial pathogens and the clinical attitude of urologists in management of complicated urinary tract infections (CUTIs). The study was a prospective, multicenter study which was undertaken by office urologists throughout Italy. During the May-June 2002 timeframe, the prevalence of each urologist's diagnosis of CUTIs was noted for a 4-week slot. The prevalence of CUTIs in over 13,000 patients observed was 10.8% (n = 1201), with a trend (not statistically significant) of higher figures in the South/Islands (12.2%) with respect to Center (11.4%) or North (8.7%) of Italy. We have confirmed the significant relevance of CUTI among the Italian patients attending the urologist office and the clinical data collected may contribute to improve the diagnosis and empiric therapy of complicated urinary tract infections. © E.S.I.F.T. srl - Firenze.