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Evidence regarding the seasonality of urinary tract infection (UTI) consultations in primary care is conflicting and methodologically poor. To our knowledge, this is the first study to determine whether this seasonality exists in the UK, identify the peak months and describe seasonality by age. The monthly number of UTI consultations (N = 992 803) and nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim prescriptions (N = 1 719 416) during 2008-2015 was extracted from The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a large nationally representative UK dataset of electronic patient records. Negative binomial regression models were fitted to these data to investigate seasonal fluctuations by age group (14-17, 18-24, 25-45, 46-69, 70-84, 85+) and by sex, accounting for a change in the rate of UTI over the study period. A September to November peak in UTI consultation incidence was observed for ages 14-69. This seasonality progressively faded in older age groups and no seasonality was found in individuals aged 85+, in whom UTIs were most common. UTIs were rare in males but followed a similar seasonal pattern than in females. We show strong evidence of an autumnal seasonality for UTIs in individuals under 70 years of age and a lack of seasonality in the very old. These findings should provide helpful information when interpreting surveillance reports and the results of interventions against UTI.

Original publication

DOI

10.1017/S095026881700259X

Type

Journal article

Journal

Epidemiol Infect

Publication Date

01/2018

Volume

146

Pages

37 - 45

Keywords

The Health Improvement Network, Urinary tract infections (UTIs), seasonality, Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary, Drug Prescriptions, Female, Humans, Incidence, Male, Middle Aged, Nitrofurantoin, Referral and Consultation, Seasons, Trimethoprim, United Kingdom, Urinary Tract Infections, Young Adult