Social and economic burden of recurrent urinary tract infections and quality of life: a patient web-based study (GESPRIT)

ABSTRACT

Background: Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur in approximately 50% of women, and 20–30% experience recurrent UTI. Data on UTIs and quality of life (QoL) in Europe are limited.

Methods: This was an anonymous, self-administered web-based survey conducted in 5 countries (Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Russia and Italy), on adult women who had experienced recurrent UTI and were affected by acute UTI currently or within 4 weeks of study entry. Questions covered disease course; management; social and economic burden; education, income, and health insurance status. QoL was evaluated using the SF-12v2.

Results: Participants reported a mean of 5.15 UTI symptoms, ranging from 4.85 − 5.38 in Russia and Germany. There was a mean of 2.78 doctor visits per year (1.74 − 3.71 in Russia and Germany; p < 0.0001). 80.3% of participants had been treated with antibiotics, mean prescriptions ranged from 2.17 (Poland) to 3.36 (Germany) per person per year. A mean of 3.09 days sick leave due to UTIs, and 3.45 days of limited activities, were reported. Although 73.8% of participants had tried prophylaxis recurrence was common and associated with mental stress for a high proportion of women.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that recurrent UTIs have a significant impact on QoL of women in Europe.

KEYWORDS:

• Disease burden
• economic burden
• health-related quality of life
• recurrent urinary tract infections
• mental health
• prophylaxis

Declaration of interest

F Wagenlehner received personal fees as consultant/speaker/research from Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bionorica, Enteris, Helperby, Janssen, Leo Pharma, MSD, Merlion, OM-Pharma/Vifor, Rosen Pharma, Pfizer. KG Naber received personal fee as consultant/speakers bureau/research from Bionorica, DaiichiSankyo, Enteris, Helperby, Leo, MerLion, MSD, OM/Vifor, Paratek, Roche, Rosen, and Zambon. B Wullt received support for studies and presentations from OM Pharma/Vifor Pharma. S Ballarini and D Zingg are employees of OM Pharma/Vifor Pharma. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Dr. Timm Volmer, SmartStep Consulting GmbH, Hamburg, Germany assisted with the online survey, collection and analysis of the data. Alessandro Cirrincione, a former employee of Vifor Pharma oversaw operational aspects of the study and data acquisition, and helped interpret the study results. Dr. Karen Yeow Biomedicomm Ltd., Oberwil, Switzerland provided editorial assistance with the manuscript. Ewen Legg of Halcyon Medical Writing provided editorial support funded by OM Pharma/Vifor Pharma.

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by Vifor Pharma.