Do urinary tract infections affect morale among very old women?

• Published in: Health and quality of life outcomes Vol. 8; no. 1; p. 73
• Main Authors: Eriksson, Irene, Gustafson, Yngve, Fagerström, Lisbeth, Olofsson, Birgitta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 22.07.2010; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged women; Aged, 80 and over; Care and treatment; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatologi och venerologi, klinisk genetik, invärtesmedicin; Dermatology and venerology,clinical genetics, internal medicine; Diagnosis; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Geriatrics; Geriatrics and medical gerontology; geriatrik; Geriatrik och medicinsk gerontologi; Humans; Internal medicine; Invärtesmedicin; Medical sciences; MEDICIN; MEDICINE; Morale; Prevention; Psychological aspects; Quality of Life; Urinary tract infections; Urinary Tract Infections - psychology; Sweden
• ISSN: 1477-7525; 1477-7525
• DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-8-73

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. 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. 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. 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.