# The Clinical Profile of Patients With Culture-Positive Urinary Tract Infections Admitting to a Tertiary Hospital in Sri Lanka

## TL;DR

This study examines the clinical and microbial profile of urinary tract infection patients at a Sri Lankan hospital, finding common symptoms and bacteria like E. coli and Klebsiella.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed clinical profile of UTI patients in a Sri Lankan tertiary hospital setting.

## Key findings

- The mean age of participants was 60 years, with over half being female.
- Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most common causative organisms.
- Fever and lower abdominal pain were observed in 22.30% of cases.

## Abstract

Introduction

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are globally prevalent. This study explores the clinical and pathological profile of culture-positive UTI patients at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital.

Method

In this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital from December 2020 to May 2021, we evaluated patients over 14 years with positive urine culture reports. Excluding those with HIV, undergoing chemotherapy, or pregnant, we used consecutive sampling. Data were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Inc., Armonk, New York), employing descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact tests to identify factors associated with urinary tract infections.

Results

The study involved approximately 278 participants. The mean age remained 60 ± 20.279 years, with over half of the participants being female. Common symptoms like fever and lower abdominal pain were observed in 22.30% of cases. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 30.58%. Escherichia coli (36%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (26%) were the predominant organisms found. Indwelling catheters and other urinary tract conditions were considered risk factors. Patients with at least one risk factor were more likely to receive antibiotics before the urine culture. Similarly, males exhibited a higher prevalence of at least a risk factor than females.

Conclusion

UTIs are a significant clinical issue in older populations, with females being more susceptible. Fever and abdominal pain were common symptoms. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequent causative agents. Further research is necessary to identify risk factors and predictors of antimicrobial resistance in UTI patients.