Objective: To provide a comprehensive review of the diagnosis and therapeutic management considerations in patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Data sources: A MEDLINE search was used to identify pertinent English language literature, including reviews. Infectious disease textbooks were used for background information.
Study selection: Clinical trials evaluating drug therapy in a variety of patient populations with UTIs were reviewed.
Data extraction: Background information was obtained from comprehensive reviews. Drug dosing strategies and efficacy comparisons were extracted from the investigations in this area.
Data synthesis: Information was processed to provide general guidelines and resources for practitioners to use in managing UTIs.
Conclusions: There are a number of useful antibiotics for the management of UTIs. The distinctions between infection severity and underlying risk factors within a given population influence the appropriateness of drug selection and duration of treatment.