Urinary tract infections in the elderly: a review of disease characteristics and current treatment options
Rodriguez-Mañas L. Urinary tract infections in the elderly: a review of disease characteristics and current treatment options. Drugs in Context 2020; 9: 2020-4-13. DOI: 10.7573/dic.2020-4-13. Free PMC article.
Despite the high prevalence of UTIs in the elderly, treatment options are limited. Although the medical community may agree in principle about the need for rational antibiotic usage, the absence of effective alternatives to treat UTIs can be a genuine barrier to change. Elderly patients are not only more prone to UTIs but are also more likely to have comorbidities and require multiple medications. The option to use a device that acts in a physical manner (barrier effect) without pharmacological properties, and with potential to reduce antimicrobial use, has obvious appeal in this patient population.