Abstract
Purpose
The clinical characteristics of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) have not been fully investigated in community-dwelling Asian adults. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the potential risk factors associated with ASB in an Asian population.
Methods
We reviewed the data of 8,508 participants from the Ansung-Ansan cohort study. Urinary bacteria were counted using a flow cytometer and semi-quantitatively reported as numbers ranging from negative to 3+. Bacteriuria was defined when the result was ≥ 1+. ASB was defined as bacteriuria accompanied by a self-reported negative answer to the question: “Have you recently experienced any sudden and frequent need to urinate?”
Results
The prevalence of ASB was 4.6%, the mean age was 52 years, and 48.6% were men. Older age, female sex, and diabetes were associated with increased odds of having ASB, whereas high physical activity and increased serum albumin levels were associated with decreased odds. No statistical difference existed in prevalence between older and younger men. However, the potential ASB risk was higher in younger and older women. Compared with men with lower physical activity and serum albumin levels, those who exercised more and had high albumin levels showed decreased odds of having ASB.
Conclusions
Age, sex, diabetes, physical activity, and serum albumin levels were independently associated with ASB in a population of community-dwelling Korean adults. Increased physical activity and serum albumin levels may contribute to decreased risk of developing ASB in men but not in women. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.