Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek medical care, accounting for 7 million patient visits each year.<sup>23 Patton J.P., Nash D.B., Abrutyn E. Urinary tract infection: Economic considerations Med Clin North Am 1991 ;  75 : 495

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The majority are otherwise healthy women who typically present with dysuria, frequency, or urgency. Approximately 20% of women develop UTI sometime during their lifetime.<sup>32 Sanford J.P. Urinary tract symptoms and infections Ann Rev Med 1975 ;  25 : 485  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Above the age of 50, the incidence of UTI is similar in men and women. The increased incidence in older men is attributed to associated disease of the prostate.<sup>16 Meares E.M. Current patterns in nosocomial urinary tract infections Urology 1991 ;  37 (suppl) : S9-12

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> The financial impact of visits to the physician's office, laboratory testing, and prescription medication is significant. In addition, although most UTIs respond quickly to antibiotics, lost productivity can result from short-term morbidity. Complications can occur, such as recurrent infection, prolonged illness from severe infection with sepsis, and even death. About 1 million hospital admissions yearly are caused by or complicated by UTI.<sup>38 Stamm W.E., Hooton T.M. Management of urinary tract infections in adults N Engl J Med 1993 ;  329 : 1328  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> With annual health care costs exceeding $1 billion,<sup>28 Powers J.D. New directions in the diagnosis and therapy of urinary tract infections Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991 ;  164 : 1387-1389

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> UTIs are a significant health problem. Rapid and accurate diagnosis, along with prompt institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy, has great potential to minimize the risk of a poor outcome.