OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for bacteriuria in a selected group of institutionalized men. METHODS: A total of 99 men, mean age seventy-one years, range forty-eight to one hundred four years, living in a nursing home were evaluated for diagnoses of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and diabetes mellitus (DM), symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction, and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR). At the time of evaluation urine cultures were performed for all subjects. Urinalyses had been performed in all men within the two years prior to initiation of the study. Residents unable to give informed consent, with a history of cancer of the prostate or bladder, previous urethral or prostate surgery, or inability to void in the standing position were excluded. RESULTS: Prior to or during the study 30 residents had bacteriuria, which was not correlated with age, PVR, previous diagnoses of BPH or DM, or with obstructive or irritative urinary symptoms consistent with bladder outlet obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Competent, institutionalized residents with higher functional levels meeting the inclusion criteria were not at a high risk of bacteriuria. The concept that increased PVR per se predisposes to bacteriuria cannot be substantiated.
OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for bacteriuria in a selected group of institutionalized men. METHODS: A total of 99 men, mean age seventy-one years, range forty-eight to one hundred four years, living in a nursing home were evaluated for diagnoses of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and diabetes mellitus (DM), symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction, and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR). At the time of evaluation urine cultures were performed for all subjects. Urinalyses had been performed in all men within the two years prior to initiation of the study. Residents unable to give informed consent, with a history of cancer of the prostate or bladder, previous urethral or prostate surgery, or inability to void in the standing position were excluded. RESULTS: Prior to or during the study 30 residents had bacteriuria, which was not correlated with age, PVR, previous diagnoses of BPH or DM, or with obstructive or irritative urinary symptoms consistent with bladder outlet obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Competent, institutionalized residents with higher functional levels meeting the inclusion criteria were not at a high risk of bacteriuria. The concept that increased PVR per se predisposes to bacteriuria cannot be substantiated.