An Integrative Approach to Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections for the Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Abstract

regimens for prevention and treatment. Proper diagnosis of rUTI and potential therapies are reviewed in this article. UTIs impact a large number of women regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic level. UTIs are responsible for approximately 3.6 million office visits per year, and cost nearly $2 billion in health care. 1 Over 50% of women are diagnosed with a UTI in their lifetime. Infections are based on the presence of a lower and/or upper urinary tract pathogen without underlying Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common type of bacterial infection, affecting more than 50% to 60% of women of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Of those women experiencing UTI, 30% will have recurrent episodes causing significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, and health care costs totaling billions of dollars. 1 Accurate diagnosis continues to evolve based on emerging information of the intravesical microbiome. The American Urologic Association has current recommendations for the diagnosis of recurrent UTI (rUTI). Urinalysis (UA) and culture are not always necessary for simple cystitis, but UA and culture with sensitivities before initiating antibiotic Learning Objectives: After participating in this continuing education activity, the provider should be better able to: a treatment plan, appropriate antibiotic integrative