National patterns in the treatment of urinary tract infections in women by ambulatory care physicians.

Abstract

URINARY TRACT infections (UTIs) account for at least 7 million outpatient visits and 1 million hospital admissions in the United States annually.¹ Recent reports have raised concerns about increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics commonly used for UTI such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and fluoroquinolones.^2-4 Given the prevalence of this infection and the unique spectrum of organisms involved, the question of how physicians treat UTIs has significance for patient well-being, antimicrobial resistance, and health care costs. Recommendations for the treatment of common infections are unique in their requirement to consider both individual and environmental concerns.