Female nurses have a higher prevalence of urinary tract symptoms and infection than other occupations in dialysis units

Abstract Introduction: Urinary tract symptoms and infection have been associated with occupational factors that impact hydration habits particularly in women. We compared self-reported urinary symptoms and infection and hydration habits between nurses and other occupations in dialysis units. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Participants worked in five nephrology centers in Brazil and answered an online questionnaire comprising questions regarding urinary tract symptoms and infection episodes in the preceding year; data on usual daily beverage intake, urine frequency, and urine color according to a urine color chart were also collected, as well as perceptions of water access and toilet adequacy at work. Results: We included 133 women (age=36.9±9.5 years). The self-reported usual daily beverage intake was 6.6±2.9 cups/day (~1320 mL), daily urine frequency was 5.4±2.1, and urine color chart score: 3.0±1.2. Nurses (N=66/49.6%) reported higher prevalence of burning sensation (50 versus 27%; P<0.001), urinary urgency (42 versus 21%; P<0.001), and infection (42% versus 25%; P=0.04) as well as lower liquid intake (6.0±2.6 versus 7.3±3.0 cups/day; P=0.01) than controls. Forty four percent of nurses reported being able to drink when thirsty "always" and "most of the time" versus 93% of the control group. Conclusion: Dialysis female nurses reported lower beverage intake and higher prevalence of symptoms and infection than other occupations in the same environment. Interventions to improve hydration can potentially decrease urinary problems in this population.

摘要 引言：尿路症状与感染与影响饮水习惯的职业因素相关，尤其在女性群体中表现显著。本研究对比了巴西透析科室护士与其他职业人群自我报告的尿路症状、感染情况及饮水习惯。
方法：本研究为横断面研究。研究对象为巴西5家肾病中心的工作人员，需填写涵盖前一年尿路症状与感染发作情况的在线问卷；同时收集受试者日常每日饮料摄入量、排尿频率、依据尿液比色卡评估的尿液颜色数据，以及对工作中饮水可及性与厕所设施充足性的认知情况。
结果：本研究共纳入133名女性受试者，年龄为36.9±9.5岁。受试者自我报告的日常每日饮料摄入量为6.6±2.9杯/天（约1320mL），每日排尿频率为5.4±2.1次，尿液比色卡评分为3.0±1.2。护士组（n=66，占比49.6%）报告的尿路烧灼感患病率（50% vs 27%；P<0.001）、尿急（42% vs 21%；P<0.001）及尿路感染（42% vs 25%；P=0.04）均高于对照组，且液体摄入量更低（6.0±2.6 vs 7.3±3.0杯/天；P=0.01）。仅44%的护士表示“总是”或“大多数时候”可在口渴时饮水，而对照组这一比例为93%。
结论：透析科室的女性护士相较于同工作环境中的其他职业人群，自我报告的饮料摄入量更低，尿路症状及感染患病率更高。改善饮水习惯的干预措施或可降低该群体的尿路问题发生率。