Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) pose a substantial burden on U.S. women, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in PLOS ONE.

Jeffrey Thompson, Ph.D., from Cerner Enviza in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and colleagues assessed the impact of uUTIs from the patient perspective. The analysis included data from 375 U.S. women who self-reported a uUTI in the prior 60 days and were treated with one or more oral antibiotic.

The researchers found that impaired activities included sexual intercourse (66.9 percent), sleep (60.8 percent), and exercise (52.3 percent). Compared with a matched control population, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was worse, as measured with the physical component score, the mental component score, and health utility index. Further, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment assessments were worse for the uUTI cohort versus controls. For participants receiving two or more antibiotics, adjusted direct costs were significantly higher than for women receiving one antibiotic ($2,090 versus $776). Increased activity impairment, worse HRQoL, and higher costs were seen for recurrent uUTI versus nonrecurrent uUTI.

“While uUTIs are common, their impact on patients should not be underestimated; appropriate treatment is crucial in preventing adverse impacts on quality-of-life and health care resource utilization,” conclude the authors.

More information:
Jeffrey Thompson et al, Activity impairment, health-related quality of life, productivity, and self-reported resource use and associated costs of uncomplicated urinary tract infection among women in the United States, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277728

Journal information:
PLoS ONE

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