Prevalence of urinary tract infection and risk factors among Saudi patients with diabetes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and its risk factors among Saudi diabetics. METHOD: A total of 1,000 diabetic patients were included. Patients were interviewed and examined at each visit every 6 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of UTI was 25.3 % in total diabetic population and 7.2 and 41.1 % in males and females, respectively. Females have highest risk of UTI (RR = 6.102; CI = 4.343-8.573; P < 0.001). Age, duration of diabetes and HbA1c did not influence the incidence of UTI, while BMI above 30 kg/m(2) increased the risk (RR = 1.722; CI = 1.532-1.935; P < 0.001). The incidence of UTI in both type 1 and 2 diabetics was similar (23.7 and 25.6 %). There was no significant risk in patients aged above 60 years (RR = 1.054; CI = 0.841-1.321; P = 0.651). The risk factors found to be associated with UTI were hypertension (RR = 1.202; CI = 1.061-1.361; P = 0.006), insulin therapy (RR = 1.411; CI = 1.262-1.578; P < 0.001) and nephropathy (microalbuminuria) (RR = 1.417; CI = 1.036-1.939; P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: The present study has shown that prevalence of UTI is more in diabetic females and diabetics with BMI above 30 kg/m(2). The other risk factors associated with UTI in general diabetic population were found to be microalbuminuria, hypertension and insulin therapy.