Urol. praxi, 2013; 14(2): 56-58

Urinary tract infections and diabetes mellitus

MUDr.Jiří Kladenský

UROINTEGRITAS s.r.o., Dům zdraví Marty Hartlové, Brno

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common lifestyle diseases, with its incidence is rising rapidly not only in the Czech Republic, but all

over the world. Thus, the issues of treatment and management of complications associated with this disease are increasingly important.

The presence of diabetes puts urinary tract infections in the category of so-called secondary, or complicated, urinary infections the

diagnosis and treatment of which, unlike primary urinary infections, requires a rapid and thorough examination and, in particular, early

treatment initiation. Patients with diabetes have a significantly higher prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and a higher incidence

of urinary tract infections. The causes appear to include the presence of glycosuria, impaired tissue perfusion and disorders of immune

mechanisms, particularly of cellular type, and phagocytoses, possibly due to hyperglycaemia. Diabetics with urinary tract infections are

much more likely to develop rare but serious complications, such as emphysematous cystitis, renal papillary necrosis, or renal abscess.

The review article presents recommended diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in diabetic patients with urinary tract infections and

highlights some differences in these strategies in comparison with non-diabetic patients with urinary tract infections.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infections, asymptomatic bacteriuria

Published: April 1, 2013  Show citation