ABSTRACT

Introduction : UTI is an infection that occurs in the urinary tract, due to the proliferation of a microorganism. Female is fourteen times more vulnerable to UTI in comparison to male. One of the reason is that female urethra is shorter so the bacteria is easier to reach the bladder. Bladder epithelium is coated by a thin layer of glycosaminoglycans which act as a non-specific antiadheren factor and nonspecific defense mechanisms against infection and can be found in the urine.

Objective: To determine differences in levels of urinary glycosaminoglycans in women with UTI and non UTI

Methods: This study design was analytic with cross sectional approach in 46 patients (23 patients with UTI and 23 patients non UTI), was conducted from June 2016 untill the number of samples is reached. Urine samples were taken and then tested for UTI and non UTI strips test, and laboratory examination of urine GAGs levels using ELISA kit for Human Glycosaminoglycans. Data were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS.

Results: There were no significant differences in the characteristics of women with UTI compare to Non UTI. The are significant differences in the mean levels of urinary GAGs in women with UTI compared with Non UTI (69,74 ± 21,34; 21,39 ± 2,61 mg / l; p <0,001) . There was no significant relationship between the sexual status and UTI incidence, with low odds ratio values and no significant difference in the mean of urinary glycosaminoglycans level based on sexual status.

Conclusion: There were significant differences elevated levels of urinary GAGs in women with UTI than in non UTI.

Keywords: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), UTI, non UTI