Urinary Tract Infection - Complications

(Page 3)

One encouraging study followed children with evidence of kidney scarring for 16 to 26 years. On average, their total kidney function was well preserved, although the scarred kidney had signs of lower function and patients with scarring in both kidneys were at higher risk for future problems. Earlier studies have shown poorer results, which suggests that outcomes are now improving with early detection and better follow-up.

Complications in People with Diabetes

Women with diabetes have more frequent and more severe UTIs than women without the disease. They also are more frequently hospitalized for kidney infections. In fact, the most serious, but rare, complications of urinary tract infections (pyelonephritis, widespread infections, abscesses, inflammation of the bladder wall) occur mostly in patients with diabetes.

Review Date: 06/16/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital