CHICAGO—Obesity increases the likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs), according to researchers. The risk is particularly elevated among severely obese individuals.
Michelle J. Semins, MD, and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, studied 95,962 subjects (57% male) diagnosed with UTIs.
The researchers defined obesity as a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or above. Compared with individuals with a BMI below 30, those with a BMI of 30-34.9, 35-39.9, 40-44.9, 45-49.9, and higher than 50 had a 25%, 21%, 26%, 32%, and 41% increased risk of UTIs, respectively.
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“These results may serve to guide urologists who treat obese patients, and may also assist clinicians who counsel on the benefits of weight loss,” the authors concluded.
The researchers presented findings here at the American Urological Association annual meeting.
