BACTERIURIA IN A POPULATION-SAMPLE OF WOMEN - 24-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY- RESULTS FROM THE PROSPECTIVE POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF WOMEN IN GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN

The aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of bacteriuria i n a female urban population, to follow up the same population over the years, and to relate bacteriuria to long-term prognosis with respect to mortality and kidney disease. The study was based on a randomly sel ected population sample comprising 1462 women aged 38-60 years at entr ance to the study in 1968-69 with an initial participation rate of 90. 1%. Bacteriuria was observed in 3-5%, increasing with age, and most of ten asymptomatic. Bacteriuria on one occasion meant increased risk of having bacteriuria 6 and 12 years later. The percentages of different types of bacteria and the resistance pattern were similar initially an d at follow-up studies after 6 and 12 years. There were no differences in mortality or incidence of severe kidney disease during a 24-year f ollow-up between those with and those without bacteriuria in the basel ine study.