Asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetic individuals in rural area of Latur district, Maharashtra

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are known from antiquity. Population studies throughout the world have shown a rise in the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) with age, especially the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria is on rise in diabetic individuals. An attempt has been made to find out the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetic individuals from rural area of Latur district. A total of 424 clinical samples of mid-stream urine (212 from asymptomatic individuals of diabetes mellitus and 212 from control group) were processed to find out the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria using standard procedures. Of the 212 cases from study group, 35 (16.50%) were positive and among the control group, seven (3.30%) were positive. In a study group, 23.94% were from the age-group 46-65 years and in control group, 4.10% were from 46-65 years. The ASB was found significantly higher in study group (P=0.04). In a study group, the prevalence was higher in females (29.63%) than males (8.40%); however, in a control group the prevalence was higher in males (4.28%) than females (2.10%). The results indicate that the prevalence of ASB is significantly higher in diabetic individuals and is more commonly seen in higher age groups and females.