Bacteriuria and urinary infections in the elderly

Aging is associated with a decreased physiological functioning, reflecting the body's progressive inability to maintain homeostasis as age increases. The physiological dysfunctions experienced in response to the aging process increases the individual's susceptibility to infection. Indwelling catheters and other attending procedures may provide a microenvironment conducive to infection. Urinary infections in the elderly are more commonly asymptomatic; treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria is not justified and will often present opportunities for the organism to acquire antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial selection for the treatment of complicating symptomatic urinary infections in elderly subjects is complicated by the many physiological and environmental conditions associated with older age patients.