Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (AB) and pyuria in the elderly ambulatory women

Bacteriuria has come to be synonymous of urinary tract infection (UTI), although this approach has never been validated with AB in elderly women. In the absence of symptoms, pyuria is the most suggestive factor of true urinary tract asymptomatic infection. Objective: To determine the prevalence and microbiological differences between AB in elderly ambulatory women with and without pyuria. Methods: During a 12-month period, from January to December of 1995, a cross-sectional study of elderly ambulatory women residing in 7 nursing homes was undertaken. All elderly ambulatory women without symptoms of UTI were evaluated for bacteriuria and pyuria. Results: Of 178 elderly women, AB was found in 44 (24.7%). The mean age of those with bacteriuria was 81±8 years whereas the mean age of those without bacteriuria, was 78±9 years;P