'Male cystitis does not exist': A qualitative study of general practitioners' experiences and management of male urinary tract infections in France.
Eur J Gen Pract
; 30(1): 2362693, 2024 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38881418
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Male urinary tract infections (mUTIs) are rare in primary care. The definition of mUTIs varies across countries. The therapeutic management of mUTIs in France is based on a 14-day course of fluoroquinolones despite a high risk of antimicrobial resistance.OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this qualitative study was to explore general practitioners' (GPs) experiences and behaviours regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic management of mUTIs.METHODS:
GPs were recruited by convenience sampling in Haute Normandie (France) and interviewed individually with semi-structured guides. GPs' experiences and behaviours were recorded and analysed using an interpretive phenomenological approach.RESULTS:
From March 2021 to May 2022, 20 GPs were included in the study. Defining a mUTI was perceived as a diagnostic challenge. A diagnosis based on clinical evidence alone was insufficient and complementary tests were required. For GPs 'male cystitis does not exist'. A mUTI was considered an unusual disease that could reveal an underlying condition. GPs considered fluoroquinolones to be 'potent' antibiotics and treated all patients with the same 14-day course. GPs implemented improvement strategies for antibiotic stewardship and followed the guidelines using a computerised decision support system.CONCLUSIONS:
GPs' experiences of mUTIs are limited due to low exposure and variable clinical presentations in primary care, representing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In order to modify GPs' antibiotic prescribing behaviours, a paradigm shift in the guidelines will need to be proposed.KEY MESSAGESDefining a male urinary tract infection represents a diagnostic challenge for GPs.A diagnosis based on clinical evidence alone is insufficient and complementary tests are required.A male urinary tract infection is an unusual disease in primary care and suggests a more serious underlying condition.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones Urinarias
/
Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina
/
Cistitis
/
Investigación Cualitativa
/
Médicos Generales
/
Antibacterianos
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Gen Pract
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Francia
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido