What are risk factors for kidney and urinary tract infection (UTI)?
There are many factors that may increase the chances of infection of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Premenopausal women are at higher risk for developing UTIs and kidney infections. Risk factors within this population include:
- 性intercourse(for women -- may increase the risk of urinary tract infection because of the possible introduction of the bacteria around the urethra into the urinary system [a condition sometimes referred to as "honeymoon cystitis"])
- Previous urinary tract infection
- Use ofspermicides
- History of a mother with recurrent UTIs(which suggests a possible genetic component to susceptibility)
- Pregnancy
In fact, somepregnantwomen may have urinary infections during their pregnancy. This may occur because of the slower transit of urine in the ureters during pregnancy from the pressure applied by the enlarging uterus.
In post-menopausal women, physiological factors (vaginal dryness, urinaryincontinence,urinary retention, and prolapse of the pelvic organs) seem to add potential risk to develop UTIs and kidney infections.
In men,prostate enlargementis the main risk factor for UTI and kidney infections.
Urinary catheters (Foley catheters) also increase the risk of developing urinary and kidney infections. These catheters are used in settings where an individual may not be able to urinate due toparalysis(neurogenic bladder), prostate enlargement (BPH),prostate cancer, severe illness, bed-bound state, andincontinence of urine(inability to hold their urine), or bladder dysfunction. Urinary catheters simply provide a physical vehicle for the bacteria from outside to be directly transported into the bladder and the urinary system.
Kidney stones and structural abnormalities of the urinary system may also cause a kidney infection. Impaired draining and blockage of urine (urinary retention) may cause bacteria to ascend to the kidney without being washed back down with the urine. Any obstruction to the flow of urine can serve as a focus of infection that can spread to other parts of the urinary tract.
Urinarystentsplaced in ureters to relieve obstruction due to stones or tumors are also a potential risk for kidney infection. As matter of fact, any instrumentation or procedure of the urinary system (stenting, cystoscopy, biopsy, and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can pose a risk for infection of the urinary tract.
Diabetesmay also increase the risk of kidney infection in both men and women. Other conditions or medications that suppress immune function increase the risk of kidney infection.
In children, risk factors for kidney infection include female gender, uncircumcised male, structural abnormalities of the urinary tract, and Caucasian race (four times higher than African American).