Management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are among the most frequently occurring infections in the United States, resulting in an estimated 8 million office visits and 1 million hospital admissions each year.1,2,3 Between 40% and 50% of women have reported having at least one urinary tract infection in their lives.4 Urinary tract infections can be classified by anatomic site of involvement into lower and upper urinary tract infections. Infections of the lower urinary tract include cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, and epididymitis, and those of the upper urinary tract include pyelonephritis. Urinary tract infections may be further classified as complicated or uncomplicated. In women with a structurally and functionally normal urinary tract, cystitis and pyelonephritis are considered uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections in men, elderly people, pregnant women, or patients who have an indwelling catheter or an anatomic or functional abnormality are considered complicated urinary tract infections. In this article, we outline the pharmacologic approach to the prevention and treatment of uncomplicated cystitis.