Asymptomatic bacteriuria among the elderly residents of long-term care facilities in Taiwan

Background: asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common among the institutionalised elderly (IE). The cytokine levels and factors associated with ASB are unknown. Objective: to analyse cytokines and factors associated with ASB among the IE living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) in Taiwan. Methods: this case-control study included residents >= 65 years in two LTCFs. The demographics, functional status, serum and urine levels of cytokines and proteins were compared between IE with ASB and those with sterile urine. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with ASB. Results: the IE with ASB had elevated IL-8 in blood and urine compared with the IE with sterile urine. The Barthel index score, serum creatinine, blood IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels were significant factors associated with ASB among the IE [odds ratio (OR) 0.957, 95% CI: 0.936-0.979, P < 0.0001; OR: 0.264, 95% CI: 0.076-0.912, P = 0.035 and OR: 1.088, 95% CI: 1.022-1.158, P = 0.009; OR: 0.828, 95% CI: 0.711-0.965, P = 0.016, respectively). Conclusion: functional status, renal function and blood cytokine levels were factors significantly associated with ASB among the IE living in Taiwan.