Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infections
The prevalence of UTIs varies significantly by setting and population: community-associated UTIs affect approximately 0.7% of the population at any given time, with an annual incidence of 12.1% in women and 3% in men, while healthcare-associated UTIs occur in 1.4-5.1% of hospitalized patients. 1, 2, 3
Community-Associated UTI Prevalence
Women experience UTIs at dramatically higher rates than men, being 30 times more likely to develop a UTI before age 50. 4
- The annual incidence reaches 12.1% among women compared to only 3% among men 1
- Point prevalence in the community is 0.7% 2
- Approximately one-third of adult women will experience at least one episode of symptomatic cystitis in their lifetime 5
- Recurrent UTIs (defined as three infections in 1 year or two in 6 months) occur in 20-30% of women who have had an initial UTI 1
Healthcare-Associated UTI Prevalence
Healthcare-associated UTIs represent a substantial burden, with prevalence ranging from 1.4% to 5.1% in hospitalized patients, and accounting for 12.9% of all healthcare-associated infections in the United States. 2, 3
- In Europe, HAUTIs constitute 19.6% of healthcare-associated infections 2
- In developing countries, this proportion rises to 24% 2
- Within urology departments specifically, the prevalence is 5.1% 2
- The majority of HAUTIs are catheter-related 3
Healthcare Utilization Impact
UTIs generate enormous healthcare system burden, accounting for more than 10 million outpatient visits and over 3 million emergency department visits annually in the United States alone. 1
- Globally, CAUTIs affect more than 150 million people annually 3
- Complicated UTIs are a frequent reason for hospitalization and create substantial clinical and economic burdens 3
Geographic Variation Caveat
Important to note: UTI prevalence, pathogen spectrum, and antibiotic resistance rates vary substantially by geographical location, making local epidemiological data essential for clinical decision-making. 2