Background: Urinary tract infections UTIs occur repeatedly after stroke and
are related to bad outcomes with increased rates of deterioration in neurological
state during hospitalization, death or long term disability as well as increased
length of hospitalization. Factors found to predict UTI include stroke
severity, depressed consciousness level, increased post-void residual urine volume,
and diabetes mellitus. Stroke severity appears to be the most important
predictor of infection risk. We aimed to determine the risk factors associated
with UTI after acute stroke, and its association with outcome. Subjects and
Methods: This is prospective cohort study. We analysed clinical data of 100
patients with first ever ischemic stroke. We assessed risk factors for UTI, as
well as clinical outcome. Results: Urinary tract infection was found in 72% of
our subjects. On univariate analysis, patients with UTI were more likely to
have had a more severe stroke, more likely to be catheterized and more likely
to have a higher serum creatinine level. The multivariate analysis revealed that
greater stroke severity was independently associated with increased risk of
developing UTI. Greater stroke severity measured by CSS was independently
associated with unfavorable outcome on discharge. Conclusion: UTI is
common after acute stroke. It is associated with more severe stroke.