Antimicrobial prophylaxis for urinary tract infections: implications for adherence assessment.

BACKGROUND: Continuous antimicrobial prophylaxis (prophylaxis) is associated with a reduction in recurrent urinary tract infections in children with vesicoureteral reflux. However, adherence to daily medications has been shown to be poor. OBJECTIVE: To determine patient/caregiver factors associated with non-adherence and to determine whether adherence alters the effect of prophylaxis on recurrent UTIs and renal scarring. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux trial. We stratified adherence scores into quartiles to assess trends within the data. We assessed predictors of non-adherence using ordinal logistic regression. We then examined the efficacy of prophylaxis stratified by adherence quartiles. RESULTS: Six hundred patients were included in the analysis. The quartiles of adherence were as follows: 1st quartile-0-70% adherence; 2nd quartile-71-91% adherence; 3rd quartile-92-96% adherence; and 4th quartile->96% adherence. Neither demographic factors nor disease severity was associated with non-adherence. In the subanalysis of patients who were toilet trained at baseline, increasing bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) symptom score was associated with non-adherence (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-1.2). Patients least adherent were 2.5 times more likely (95%CI 1.1-5.6) to have a recurrent UTI compared with patients most adherent. After controlling for treatment arm, age, sex, degree of reflux, BBD, and number of UTIs, patients least adherent (taking the study medication less than <70% of the time) were at highest risk for renal scarring (aOR = 24.2, 95%CI 3.0-197). In contrast, among the most adherent quartile, the probability of renal scarring was highest in those assigned prophylaxis (16.2% compared with 1.7% in those most adherent to placebo). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence is distinctly related to clinical outcomes in children with VUR. Non-adherence is common and represents a distinct clinical entity that is associated with renal scarring. Adherence should be assessed in prophylaxis management algorithms.

Long-term follow-up of urethral reconstruction for blunt urethral injury at a young age: urinary and sexual quality of life outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about long-term patient-reported outcomes following surgical repair for pediatric blunt urethral trauma. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate long-term urinary outcomes, sexual function, and quality of life (QOL) of patients who undergo urethroplasty for blunt urethral trauma in childhood. STUDY DESIGN: After IRB approval, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who sustained blunt urethral injury at ≤18 years and underwent urethroplasty at our institution between 1978 and 2013. We then used a web-based survey to assess urinary/sexual/ejaculatory function and overall QOL using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 68 eligible patients, 15 were able to be contacted (table). Median age of injury, age at urethroplasty, and age at follow-up were 17 (4-18), 17 (5-20), and 19 (13.5-21.5) years, respectively. The stricture was membranoprostatic in eight and bulbar in seven patients, with median length of 2 (1.6-2.6) cm. Excision/primary anastomosis was performed in all but three patients who required a buccal graft. Overall, 80% were 'very satisfied' and 20% were 'satisfied' with surgery. One patient reported a subsequent urethral intervention. On urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measurement, the median bother (0 least, 24 worst) was 10 (8-12.5). The force of urine stream (1 strongest, 4 weakest) was 2 (1.5-2), with no report of urinary incontinence. The median Sexual Health Inventory for Men score (0 worst, 25 perfect) was 24 (22.5-24). The median ejaculatory function score (0 worst, 15 normal) was 14 (13-14.75). Six patients had fathered children and none reported infertility. Three patients reported <30° penile curvature not interfering with sex. Median QOL (0 worse, 10 best) was 8 (7.5-8). CONCLUSIONS: Urethroplasty after blunt urethral injury in young adult population is associated with a high long-term success rate with a low rate of long-term urinary and sexual consequences in adulthood.

Predictors of becoming overweight among pediatric patients at risk for urinary tract infections.

BACKGROUND: The association between obesity and urinary dysfunction in childhood has been described, albeit through retrospective analysis, making temporal relationships difficult to establish. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for significant weight gain in children at risk for recurrent urinary tract infections. STUDY DESIGN: A secondary analysis of the Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux and Careful Urinary Tract Infection Evaluation trials was conducted. The outcome of interest in these children was significant increase in body mass index (BMI) percentile (>85th BMI percentile for sex and age) in previously normal-weight children. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the independent effects of predetermined risk factors. RESULTS: In total, 446 patients were included in the study. Most patients aged less than 1 year at study entry (229, 51%), and 399 (89%) of patients were female. Eighty-four patients (17%) became clinically overweight. Patients assigned to prophylactic antibiotics were not more likely to gain significant BMI percentiles (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.6-1.8). Significant BMI percentiles were gained in Hispanic/Latino patients compared with whites (aOR = 3.3, 95% CI=1.7-6.4), in children who were infants at study enrollment compared with non-infants (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.8), and in those with persistent reflux during the study period (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI=1.0-4.3). Neither patients assigned to prophylactic antibiotics (aOR = 1.1, 95% CI=0.6-1.8) nor patients with bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) (aOR = 1.2, 95% CI=0.6-2.3) were more likely to gain significant BMI percentiles. DISCUSSION: Significant BMI percentile gain is common in patients at risk for UTIs. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, persistent reflux, and younger age, specifically infants than non-infants, were identified as independent risk factors for becoming overweight in this population. Exposure to prophylactic antibiotics and BBD were not associated with becoming overweight. CONCLUSION: Risk for becoming overweight should be discussed when managing patients at risk for UTIs, especially in the subpopulations identified.

Determinants of practice patterns in pediatric UTI management.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection (UTI) affects 10% of girls and 3% of boys by age 16. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guidelines recommend urine testing prior to initiation of antibiotic treatment and the use of local antibiograms to guide empiric antibiotic therapy. Urine culture results not only provide the opportunity to halt empiric therapy if there is no bacterial growth, but also allow for tailoring of broad-spectrum therapy. Additionally, the use of antiobiograms improves empiric antibiotic selection based on local resistance patterns. However, execution of guideline recommendations has proved challenging. Understanding barriers in implementation is critical to developing targeted interventions aimed to improve adherence to these guidelines. OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to investigate practice patterns and factors that influence urine testing and antibiogram use in the setting of empiric antibiotic treatment of UTI in children to ultimately improve adherence to UTI management guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: A random, national sample of physicians caring for children was surveyed from the American Medical Association Masterfile. Participants were queried regarding practice type, length of time in practice, factors influencing urine testing, urine specimen collection method, and antibiogram utilization. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with use of urine testing, bagged specimens, and antibiograms. RESULTS: Of respondents who acknowledged contact by surveyors, 47% completed the survey (n = 366). Most respondents (84%) obtain urinalysis and culture prior to treatment for UTI. Physicians report they would more likely order testing if the specimen were easier to collect (46%) and if results were available immediately (48%) (Table). Urine collection by bag was more common in circumcised boys (>30%) compared with girls (20%) and uncircumcised boys (20%) (P = 0.02). The most common reasons for collection by bag were parental refusal for (49%) and difficulty with (42%) catheterization (Table). Of the 70% of respondents reporting antibiogram access (n = 256), 50% report its use the majority of the time with empiric prescription (n = 128). DISCUSSION: While most practitioners report following guidelines to obtain urine testing prior to antibiotic prescription for UTI, urine collection by bag is common. Additionally, <50% of practitioners adhere to guideline recommendations for empiric antibiotic selection based on local antibiograms. Interventions to improve adherence to UTI management guidelines should focus on (1) improving catheterization practices, (2) educating parents regarding the value of catheterization, and (3) incorporating local antibiograms into electronic medical records.