Asymptomatic bacteriuria among the patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common in neonates, preschool children, pregnant women, elderly, diabetics, catheterized patients, and patients with abnormal urinary tracts or renal diseases. Though there is currently no consensus on treatment of ASB in various population groups, it is advisable to treat the same in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Aims: To determine the prevalence of ASB in patients with type 2 DM and to study the spectrum of uro-pathogens causing ASB along with their antibiotic susceptibility profile. Settings and Design: This prospective, observational study was conducted in the department of Medicine of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: The study was conducted on 100 patients with type 2 DM. Urine wet mount and gram stain examination was done for all to detect the presence of pus cells and bacteria in urine. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed in patients with significant bacteriuria to determine the sensitivity profile of isolated uro-pathogens. The data were analyzed to determine the association between diabetes and ASB. Results: ASB was common among diabetics, as evident by a prevalence of 21%. Presence of ASB showed positive correlation with poor glycemic control. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most common organism causing ASB followed by Candida, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter. E. coli isolated from study patients was most sensitive to imipenem and nitrofurantoin (NFT). Conclusions: ASB is common among diabetics, with poor glycemic control being a significant risk factor. E. coli is the most common organism causing ASB in diabetics, and it is most sensitive to imipenem and NFT.