Symptoms associated with urinary tract infection in nursing home residents: a study among nursing home staff across eight European countries

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common among nursing home (NH) residents and a leading cause of antibiotic use. NH staff members are key in recognizing suspected UTIs based on observed symptoms. This study surveyed 286 staff across eight European countries to identify which symptoms prompt UTI suspicion. While UTI-specific symptoms like painful and frequent urination were commonly cited, non-specific signs such as foul-smelling urine, confusion, and behavioural changes were also frequently reported. These findings reveal substantial cross-country variation and highlight the diagnostic challenges of UTIs in this population, emphasizing the need for improved training in evidence-based symptom recognition.