E-Posters-10153

10153_Meister

Pdf Summary

This study aims to investigate the inflammatory profile in postmenopausal women with and without recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and to determine if vaginal estrogen therapy can modulate this inflammatory profile. The researchers prospectively enrolled postmenopausal patients aged over 65 into three cohorts: those without a history of UTIs using vaginal estrogen therapy, those with a history of UTIs using vaginal estrogen therapy, and those with a history of recurrent UTIs not using estrogen but willing to start. Urine and serum samples were collected at three time-points over a 6-month period. Cytopathologic analysis, urine inflammatory scoring, and monitoring of urothelial cell shedding were performed.<br /><br />The results show that postmenopausal women with recurrent UTIs have increased urine inflammation and urothelial cell shedding compared to those without UTIs. Vaginal estrogen therapy appears to reduce urine inflammation and decrease cell shedding in women with recurrent UTIs who are already on a vaginal estrogen regimen. However, further studies using urine and serum inflammatory markers are needed to analyze the effect of vaginal estrogen therapy on the postmenopausal inflammatory profile.<br /><br />The study highlights the prevalence of UTIs in postmenopausal women and the increased risk of recurrent or persistent infections due to estrogen deficiency. Vaginal estrogen therapy is a noninvasive treatment option that has been shown to decrease the risk of recurrent UTIs, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. This study provides evidence that vaginal estrogen therapy may modulate the postmenopausal inflammatory bladder state, suggesting a potential explanation for its effectiveness in reducing recurrent UTIs.

Keywords

inflammatory profile

postmenopausal women

recurrent urinary tract infections

vaginal estrogen therapy

inflammatory markers

urothelial cell shedding

cytopathologic analysis

urine inflammation

estrogen deficiency

noninvasive treatment