Female nurses have a higher prevalence of urinary tract symptoms and infection than other occupations in dialysis units / Técnicas de enfermagem têm uma prevalência maior de sintomas e infecções do trato urinário do que outras ocupações em unidades de diálise

Abstract Introduction: Urinary tract symptoms and infection have been associated with occupational factors that impact hydration habits particularly in women. We compared self-reported urinary symptoms and infection and hydration habits between nurses and other occupations in dialysis units. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Participants worked in five nephrology centers in Brazil and answered an online questionnaire comprising questions regarding urinary tract symptoms and infection episodes in the preceding year; data on usual daily beverage intake, urine frequency, and urine color according to a urine color chart were also collected, as well as perceptions of water access and toilet adequacy at work. Results: We included 133 women (age=36.9±9.5 years). The self-reported usual daily beverage intake was 6.6±2.9 cups/day (~1320 mL), daily urine frequency was 5.4±2.1, and urine color chart score: 3.0±1.2. Nurses (N=66/49.6%) reported higher prevalence of burning sensation (50 versus 27%; P<0.001), urinary urgency (42 versus 21%; P<0.001), and infection (42% versus 25%; P=0.04) as well as lower liquid intake (6.0±2.6 versus 7.3±3.0 cups/day; P=0.01) than controls. Forty four percent of nurses reported being able to drink when thirsty "always" and "most of the time" versus 93% of the control group. Conclusion: Dialysis female nurses reported lower beverage intake and higher prevalence of symptoms and infection than other occupations in the same environment. Interventions to improve hydration can potentially decrease urinary problems in this population.

Resumo Introdução: Sintomas e infecções do trato urinário têm sido associados a fatores ocupacionais que afetam hábitos de hidratação, particularmente em mulheres. Comparamos sintomas e infecções urinárias autorrelatados e hábitos de hidratação entre técnicas de enfermagem e outras ocupações em unidades de diálise. Métodos: Estudo transversal. As participantes trabalhavam em cinco centros de nefrologia no Brasil e responderam um questionário online contendo perguntas sobre sintomas do trato urinário e episódios de infecção no ano anterior; também foram coletados dados sobre a ingestão diária habitual de bebidas, frequência e cor da urina de acordo com uma tabela de cores da urina, assim como percepções sobre o acesso à água e adequação das instalações sanitárias no trabalho. Resultados: Incluímos 133 mulheres (idade=36,9±9,5 anos). Em média, as participantes relataram ingestão de bebidas de 6,6±2,9 copos/dia (~1320 mL), frequência urinária de 5,4±2,1 vezes/dia e escore da tabela de cores da urina de 3,0±1,2. Técnicas de enfremagem (N=66/49,6%) relataram maior prevalência de sensação de ardor (50 versus 27%; P<0,001), urgência urinária (42 versus 21%; P<0,001), e infecção (42% versus 25%; P=0,04), bem como menor ingestão de líquidos (6,0±2,6 versus 7,3±3,0 copos/dia; P=0,01) do que controles. Quarenta e quatro por cento das técnicas de enfermagem relataram poder beber quando têm sede "sempre" e "na maioria das vezes" contra 93% do grupo controle. Conclusão: Técnicas de enfermagem de unidades de diálise relataram menor ingestão de bebidas e maior prevalência de sintomas e infecção do que outras ocupações no mesmo ambiente de trabalho. Intervenções para melhorar a hidratação podem diminuir problemas urinários nesta população.

Female nurses have a higher prevalence of urinary tract symptoms and infection than other occupations in dialysis units.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract symptoms and infection have been associated with occupational factors that impact hydration habits particularly in women. We compared self-reported urinary symptoms and infection and hydration habits between nurses and other occupations in dialysis units. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Participants worked in five nephrology centers in Brazil and answered an online questionnaire comprising questions regarding urinary tract symptoms and infection episodes in the preceding year; data on usual daily beverage intake, urine frequency, and urine color according to a urine color chart were also collected, as well as perceptions of water access and toilet adequacy at work. RESULTS: We included 133 women (age=36.9±9.5 years). The self-reported usual daily beverage intake was 6.6±2.9 cups/day (~1320 mL), daily urine frequency was 5.4±2.1, and urine color chart score: 3.0±1.2. Nurses (N=66/49.6%) reported higher prevalence of burning sensation (50 versus 27%; P<0.001), urinary urgency (42 versus 21%; P<0.001), and infection (42% versus 25%; P=0.04) as well as lower liquid intake (6.0±2.6 versus 7.3±3.0 cups/day; P=0.01) than controls. Forty four percent of nurses reported being able to drink when thirsty "always" and "most of the time" versus 93% of the control group. CONCLUSION: Dialysis female nurses reported lower beverage intake and higher prevalence of symptoms and infection than other occupations in the same environment. Interventions to improve hydration can potentially decrease urinary problems in this population.