Recurrent urinary tract infections in women with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction

Introduction and hypothesis  The prevalence and clinical associations of recurrent (two or more symptomatic and medically documented in the previous 12 months) urinary tract infections (UTIs) have not been subjected to comprehensive analysis in a large group of women with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Methods  A prospective study was conducted involving 1,140 women presenting for their initial urogynecological assessment. Results  The overall prevalence of recurrent UTI was 19%. Significant positive associations of recurrent UTI were: (1) nulliparity with a 3.7× (up to 50 years) increase over the prevalence for parous women and 1.8× (over 50 years); and (2) women with an immediate postvoid residual (PVR) over 30 ml, which is significant in women over 50 years. Conclusions  The early age decline (18–45 years) in the prevalence of recurrent UTI might be related to increasing parity. The later increase (over 55 years) was probably due to the increasing PVR effect superimposed on the nulliparity effect.