Patient Engagement in Management of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

ABSTRACT

Purpose of Review Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are highly prevalent among women and can be challenging to manage for both clinicians and patients. This review aims to outline and analyze important studies relevant to clinical care and provide patient-centered recommendations. Recent Findings: The current literature supports that the treatment of rUTIs is multifaceted, and improving patient engagement requires clinical strategies that prioritize improving women's quality of life. Culture-directed treatment of recurrent infections to prevent collateral damage from antibiotics is supported by the 2019 Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women Guidelines published by the American Urological Association, Canadian Urology Association, and Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction. Qualitative studies have identified important considerations for patients such as antibiotic and non-antibiotic treatment options, financial costs, as well as physical and mental health impairments. Summary: Solely treating the physical symptoms caused by recurrent urinary tract infections without discussing prevention strategies and quality of life challenges caused by rUTIs will likely lead to poor patient engagement and satisfaction. Building a medical practice with ancillary physician support to expedite and increase convenience may help meet patient expectations and ease the burden of care identified in prior studies. Physicians should prioritize antibiotic stewardship and be mindful that microbiome research has demonstrated that healthy bladders have been found to have commensal bacteria, which may act as barriers against uropathogens, thus helping prevent urinary tract infections. Copyright © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.