CONSEQUENCES OF ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERIURIA IN THE ELDERLY

Asymptomatic bacteriuria increases with advancing age for the ambulato ry population. Men and women who are resident in long-term care facili ties have an exceptionally high prevalence of bacteriuria. Despite thi s high prevalence and a high incidence of bacteriuria, urinary infecti on contributes little to morbidity and mortality in the elderly. While urinary infection is the most common source of bacteremic infection i n the elderly, episodes of symptomatic urinary infection are infrequen t relative to respiratory, gut, and skin infections. Substantial long- term complications of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the elderly have not been identified and their is no convincing evidence that asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with impaired survival. Further studies of the impact of asymptomatic bacteriuria in elderly populations to bette r define the association with symptomatic infection are needed.