RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in women consulting at our hospital and its relationship with other chronic diseases. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 735 women who had consulted at our hospital from February to September, 1996. Urinary sediment, serial urine culture, serum urea and creatinine values were analyzed. Patient records were reviewed to obtain pertinent data for the study. RESULTS: The incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 8%; 47.4% of the cases were women over 60 years of age. E. coli was identified as the causative organism in 77.9% of the urine cultures. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent associated chronic disease (27.1%). The incidence of renal damage was not statistically significant and was not directly related with bacteriuria. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the importance of performing a urine culture when leukocyturia is detected. The incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria increases with age. E. coli was the most frequent causative organism. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent associated chronic disease. The incidence of renal damage was not statistically significant.