Frequency of Urinary Tract Infection and its Relationship with Disease Severity in Patients with Behçet’s Disease

Abstract

Background: The role of infections in the etiopathogenesis of Behçet’s Disease has been mentioned, but there is no study in the literature on the frequency of Urinary Tract Infections in Behçet’s Disease. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the frequency of Urinary Tract Infections and its relationship with disease severity in patients who had Behçet’s Disease. Methods: The study had a retrospective cross-sectional design. A total of 113 Behçet’s Disease patients were included in the study. The files of the patients were reviewed and their symptoms as of the date of admission and the results of total urine analysis and urine culture performed in line with this date were recorded. The frequency of urinary system infections and its relationship with disease severity were examined. Results: A total of 113 Behçet’s Disease patients who had a median age of 38 (IQR: 29 - 47) and 74.3% (n=84) women were evaluated in the present study. Urinary tract infection was defined in 8.8% (n=10) of the patients. Escherichia coli was identified as the causative microorganism in 90% (n=9) and Klebsiella spp. in 10% (n=1) of patients who had Urinary Tract Infections. Behçet’s Disease patients who had Urinary Tract Infections were older and Urinary Tract Infections were more common in those with longer disease duration (p=0.001 and p=0.005, respectively). No statistically significant relationship was detected between the severity of Behçet’s Disease and the presence of urinary system infections (p>0.05). Dysuria and pyuria were detected more frequently in Behçet’s Disease patients who had positive pathergy test results and no Urinary Tract Infections (p=0.007, p=0.038, respectively). Leukocyte esterase positivity was detected more frequently in Behçet’s Disease patients who did not have urinary infections but had genital ulcers (p=0.039). Conclusion: Urinary system infection was detected in 8.8% (n=10) of Behçet’s Disease patients. Although no relationship was found between the severity of the disease and urinary system infection in the present study, we think that patients who have Urinary Tract Infections should be treated because there are infectious causes in the etiopathogenesis of Behçet’s Disease.