DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common complication in stroke patients, especially those with indwelling urinary catheters. These infections can significantly impact patient outcomes and prolong hospital stays. Identifying risk factors can guide preventive strategies. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of urinary tract infection (UTI) frequency in stroke patients with indwelling catheters and identify associated risk factors. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. Duration of Study: Six months (12-November-2023—12-May-2024). Methods: A total of 111 stroke patients aged 30–70 years with indwelling urinary catheters were enrolled. UTI was diagnosed based on urine culture showing bacterial growth >10⁵ CFU/mL, specifically of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, or Pseudomonas species. Data on demographics, hospital stay duration, and gender were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 46.91 ± 10.68 years. UTIs were diagnosed in 21.6% of patients. Notably, UTI occurrence was significantly higher in patients aged >50 years (79.2%, p = 0.0001), females (83.3%, p = 0.0001), and those with prolonged hospital stays (75%, p = 0.002). Conclusion: The frequency of UTI in stroke patients with indwelling urinary catheters was 21.6%. Risk factors significantly associated with UTI included older age, female gender, and prolonged hospitalization. Preventive strategies targeting these risk groups may help reduce infection rates in this population.