Self-reported prevalence of urinary tract infections among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims: This study estimated the prevalence of self-reported urinary tract infection (UTI) among individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and assessed age and gender differences. Methods: In the US Study to Help Improve Early evaluation and management of risk factors Leading to Diabetes (SHIELD) 2008 survey, respondents reported how many times in the past 12 months they had a UTI. Respondents with T2DM (n = 2,671) were compared with respondents who did not have diabetes (No DM) (n = 8,907) using chi-square and t-tests and logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender. Results: Thirteen percent of T2DM respondents reported ≥1 UTI, compared with 9% of No DM group (p <0.001). Among men, the prevalence rate was 50.9/1000 (T2DM) and 33.9/1000 (No DM) (p = 0.015). Among women, the prevalence rate was 184.4/1000 (T2DM) vs. 127.8/1000 (No DM) (p <0.001). In those who reported ≥ 1 UTI, 78-92% of respondents reported that they consulted their doctor about the UTI. Odds of experiencing a UTI were 1.5 times (95% CI = 1.3-1.8) higher among T2DM respondents than No DM respondents, after adjusting for age and gender. Women were 4.2 times (95% CI = 3.6-5.0) more likely than men and elderly (≥80 years) respondents were more likely than younger (<50 years) respondents to have a UTI after adjusting for age and diabetes status (p <0.001). Conclusions: Urinary tract infections were more prevalent among respondents with T2DM and more frequent among women with T2DM, compared with respondents without diabetes.