Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly Women
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases in older women, especially those over 65 years of age. Physiological changes related to aging, comorbidities, and frequent use of medical devices such as urinary catheters increase susceptibility. Increasing antimicrobi...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Francisco José Barbas Rodrigues Patrícia Coelho Sónia Mateus João Metello Miguel Castelo-Branco |
| author_facet | Francisco José Barbas Rodrigues Patrícia Coelho Sónia Mateus João Metello Miguel Castelo-Branco |
| author_sort | Francisco José Barbas Rodrigues |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases in older women, especially those over 65 years of age. Physiological changes related to aging, comorbidities, and frequent use of medical devices such as urinary catheters increase susceptibility. Increasing antimicrobial resistance further complicates treatment strategies. This study aims to describe the epidemiological profile of UTI in women over 65 years of age, focusing on the characterization of etiological agents, observed antimicrobial resistance patterns, and commonly reported risk factors. We conducted a retrospective analysis of microbiological and clinical data from elderly women diagnosed with UTIs. Bacterial isolates were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were evaluated over a specified period. A statistical analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of different pathogens and antibiotic resistance trends. <i>Escherichia coli</i> was the predominant uropathogen, consistent across different clinical scenarios and patient conditions. The four most common bacterial strains—<i>E. coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Proteus mirabilis</i>, and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>—aligned with global epidemiological data. In <i>Escherichia coli</i> a significant increase in resistance to nitrofurantoin was observed, possibly indicating excessive empirical use, while resistance to other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ertapenem, remained stable or decreased. Institutional antibiotic stewardship programs likely contributed to this trend. The study highlights <i>E. coli</i> as the main etiological agent in elderly women with UTIs. The observed resistance patterns emphasize the need for localized antimicrobial surveillance and personalized therapeutic approaches. Continuous microbiological monitoring and rational use of antibiotics are crucial to optimize treatment outcomes and control the development of resistance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5260a13be69142da95634cdde4c26d3d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-4184 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Women |
| spelling | doaj-art-5260a13be69142da95634cdde4c26d3d2025-08-20T02:21:49ZengMDPI AGWomen2673-41842025-05-01521610.3390/women5020016Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly WomenFrancisco José Barbas Rodrigues0Patrícia Coelho1Sónia Mateus2João Metello3Miguel Castelo-Branco4Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (Sprint), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, PortugalSport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (Sprint), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, PortugalSport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (Sprint), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, PortugalPolytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, PortugalFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilha, PortugalUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases in older women, especially those over 65 years of age. Physiological changes related to aging, comorbidities, and frequent use of medical devices such as urinary catheters increase susceptibility. Increasing antimicrobial resistance further complicates treatment strategies. This study aims to describe the epidemiological profile of UTI in women over 65 years of age, focusing on the characterization of etiological agents, observed antimicrobial resistance patterns, and commonly reported risk factors. We conducted a retrospective analysis of microbiological and clinical data from elderly women diagnosed with UTIs. Bacterial isolates were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were evaluated over a specified period. A statistical analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of different pathogens and antibiotic resistance trends. <i>Escherichia coli</i> was the predominant uropathogen, consistent across different clinical scenarios and patient conditions. The four most common bacterial strains—<i>E. coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Proteus mirabilis</i>, and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>—aligned with global epidemiological data. In <i>Escherichia coli</i> a significant increase in resistance to nitrofurantoin was observed, possibly indicating excessive empirical use, while resistance to other antibiotics, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ertapenem, remained stable or decreased. Institutional antibiotic stewardship programs likely contributed to this trend. The study highlights <i>E. coli</i> as the main etiological agent in elderly women with UTIs. The observed resistance patterns emphasize the need for localized antimicrobial surveillance and personalized therapeutic approaches. Continuous microbiological monitoring and rational use of antibiotics are crucial to optimize treatment outcomes and control the development of resistance.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/5/2/16urinary tract infections (UTIs)antibiotic resistanceantibiotic stewardshipepidemiology of UTIselderly women |
| spellingShingle | Francisco José Barbas Rodrigues Patrícia Coelho Sónia Mateus João Metello Miguel Castelo-Branco Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly Women Women urinary tract infections (UTIs) antibiotic resistance antibiotic stewardship epidemiology of UTIs elderly women |
| title | Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly Women |
| title_full | Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly Women |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly Women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly Women |
| title_short | Epidemiological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among Elderly Women |
| title_sort | epidemiological profile and antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections among elderly women |
| topic | urinary tract infections (UTIs) antibiotic resistance antibiotic stewardship epidemiology of UTIs elderly women |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/5/2/16 |
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