Value of urologic investigation in a targeted group of women with recurrent urinary tract infections.

According to the conclusions of clinical studies, excretory urography and cystoscopy are of no value in managing the majority of women who have a history of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Of 475 women with recurrent UTIs, 186 were prospectively targeted for evaluation by cystoscopy and ultrasonography or excretory urography from selection criteria based on the degree of complicating factors, to determine the value of urologic investigation. Thirty-nine patients had significant detectable abnormalities, and 20 of them required surgical intervention. Definite indications for urologic evaluation include hematuria (gross hematuria and persistent microscopic hematuria between infections), pyelonephritis and a presentation that is not typical for simple uncomplicated UTIs (obstructive symptoms, infection with urea-splitting bacteria, clinical impression of persistent infection or urinary calculi). Diabetes itself does not warrant urologic evaluation. The findings from this study suggest that cystoscopy and upper urinary tract evaluation do play a role in the management of a selected group of women with UTIs.