Calgary Laboratory Services, Centre for Anti-microbial Resistance, University of Calgary and Calgary Health Region, Room 1W-415, #9, 3535 Research Road NW, T2L 2K8 Calgary, AB, Canada. kevin.laupland@calgaryhealthregion.ca
Although multiple studies have investigated community-onset urinary tract infections (UTI), population-based data are lacking. We therefore conducted population-based laboratory surveillance in order to define the incidence, demographic risk factors, etiology, and antimicrobial susceptibilities of community onset UTI in a large Canadian region.
Laboratory surveillance for all community onset UTIs among residents of the Calgary Health Region (population approximately 1.2 million) was conducted during 2004/2005. Repeated positive samples within a 1-month period and those infections first cultured more than 2 days after admission to a hospital were excluded.
A total of 40,618 episodes of community onset UTI occurred among 30,851 residents for an overall annual incidence of 17.5 per 1,000. Seventy-four percent of the cultures were submitted from ambulatory patients, 18% from hospitalized patients within the first 2 days of admission, and 9% from nursing home residents. Females were at significantly increased risk as compared to males (30.0 vs 5.0 per 1,000, RR 5.98; 95% CI, 5.81-6.15; p