Epidemiology

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause more than 8.1 million visits to healthcare providers each year. Approximately 12% to 14% of men will have at least one UTI during their lifetime.[1][9]​​ In 2002, it was estimated that UTIs were the most common type of healthcare-associated infection in the US, accounting for more than 30% of all infections reported by acute care hospitals.[10] Virtually all healthcare-associated UTIs are caused by instrumentation of the urinary tract.[11]​​ Ageing contributes to UTI occurrence in men, with studies showing the incidence of clinically diagnosed UTI in men per 100 person-years increasing from 2.81 in those aged 65-74 years to up to 10.54 in those aged over 85 years.[12][13]​​​​​[14] UTIs rarely develop in men aged before 50 years.[1][15] The incidence of UTI in men is highest among those residing in long-term care facilities.[1][14][15]​​​​​​ The ratio of UTI occurrence between institutionalised women and men is almost equal (2 to 3:1), unlike the ratio for younger women and men (25:1).[16] In addition, up to 40% of institutionalised men have asymptomatic bacteriuria.[6][15][16]​​ Other risk factors correlating with increased incidence of UTI in men include a history of anal intercourse, which is associated with increased infection in both men and women.[17] In one study, UTI was more common among men who have sex with men, compared to men who have sex with women alone.[18] Vaginal intercourse also may result in UTI if the vagina is colonised by pathogenic organisms.[19]

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