Guideline Adherence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Could Be Improved among General Practitioners in The Netherlands: A Survey Study

• Published in: Antibiotics (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 75
• Main Authors: van Horrik, Tessa M Z X K, Laan, Bart J, Platteel, Tamara N, Geerlings, Suzanne E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 09-01-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Antibiotics; antimicrobial stewardship; Asymptomatic; asymptomatic bacteriuria; Bacteriuria; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; diagnostic stewardship; general practice; Health care; Knowledge; Nursing homes; Patients; Polls & surveys; Population studies; Prescriptions; Primary care; Urinary tract; urinary tract infection; Urinary tract infections; Urine; Netherlands; antimicrobial stewardship; asymptomatic bacteriuria; diagnostic stewardship; general practice; urinary tract infection
• ISSN: 2079-6382; 2079-6382
• DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11010075

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is a common finding in certain populations. This study assessed general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge about ASB and their current clinical practice regarding urine testing.
An online survey was used for GPs in the Netherlands from October to December 2020.
In total, 99 surveys were included in the analyses. All GPs strongly agreed with the statements about their knowledge and self-confidence regarding urine diagnostics and treatment of ASB. The median knowledge score was 4 out of 6 (IQR 2 to 6). Most GPs (64 of 92; 70%) followed the guideline for the choice of urine diagnostics and reported appropriate indications for urine testing. However, 71/94 (75.5%) GPs would treat patients for ASB if they have diabetes mellitus. Further, 34 (37%) of 92 participants would inappropriately repeat a urine test after a patient was treated for a urinary tract infection (UTI). One-third of the GPs responded that ASB was insufficiently addressed within the guidelines for UTI.
These results indicate that knowledge about ASB could be improved in primary care in the Netherlands, mainly in diabetic patients that have ASB, as well as for follow-up tests after treatment for UTI.