Urinary tract infection treatment pattern of elderly patients in a tertiary hospital setup in south India: A prospective study

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in geriatrics due to physiological alterations/pathological conditions. The main objective of this study was to analyze the incidence, causative organisms, types of antibiotics used, drug interactions, the antibiotic cost, and its outcome. Method: This is across-sectional study conducted in selected medicine units over a period of 18 months. The enrolled patient's therapy pattern spotted from the admission to discharge. The mandatory patients provided with pharmaceutical care services. Results: Among 475 observed cases, 106 patients had UTIs (22.31%). The mean number of drug were 7.42 ± 2.31per prescription. Out of 106 prescriptions, 63 prescriptions had drug interactions. The drug interactions degree varied from mild (12.63%), moderate (60.3%) and severe (26.58%) remained managed by spacing intervals, alternate drug use, and close monitoring techniques. Strangely, all comorbid UTI patient outcomes showed improvement. The antibiotic cost of the management ranged from 0.21-160.8 with a median of 26.30 and the common organisms were E. coli (48%), Enterococcus (16%). The average length of patient hospital stay was 11.65 ± 8.94 days. Conclusion: This study showed that about one-fourth patients have UTIs and half of them were affected by E. coli. Hence, this study proposes the paucity and its implication of pharmaceutical care service research studies, on healthhygiene, proper use of antibiotics & its cost minimization; untoward interactions cost prevention, for better outcome in India.