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- Title
Do urinary tract infections affect morale among very old women?
- Authors
Eriksson I; Gustafson Y; Fagerström L; Olofsson B; Eriksson, Irene; Gustafson, Yngve; Fagerström, Lisbeth; Olofsson, Birgitta
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Urinary tract infection (UTI) is among the most common bacterial infections in women of all ages but the incidence increases with older age. Despite the fact that UTI is a common problem it is still poorly investigated regarding its connection with experienced health and morale. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of a diagnosed, symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) with or without ongoing treatment on morale or subjective wellbeing among very old women.<bold>Methods: </bold>In a cross-sectional, population-based study, 504 women aged 85 years and older (range 84-104) were evaluated for ongoing UTI. Of these, 319 (63.3%), were able to answer the questions on the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS) which was used to assess morale or subjective wellbeing.<bold>Results: </bold>In the present study sample of 319 women, 46 (14.4%) were diagnosed as having had a UTI with or without ongoing treatment when they were assessed. Women with UTI with or without ongoing treatment had significantly lower PGCMS scores (10.4 vs 11.9, p = 0.003) than those without UTI, indicating a significant impact on morale or subjective wellbeing among very old women. Depression (p < 0.001), UTI (p = 0.014) and constipation (p = 0.018) were the medical diagnoses significantly and independently associated with low morale in a multivariate regression model.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>As UTI seems to be independently associated with low morale or poor subjective wellbeing, there needs to be more focus on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of UTI in old women.
- Publication
Health & Quality of Life Outcomes, 2010, Vol 8, p73
- ISSN
1477-7525
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1186/1477-7525-8-73