Pyelonephritis risk factors

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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pyelonephritis risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Common risk factors in the development of pyelonephritis include renal calculi, urinary tract catheterization, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Risk Factors

Risk is increased in the following situations:

Mechanical/Anatomical

Any structural abnormalities of the kidneys and the urinary tract can lead to abnormal accumulation of bacteria that can ascend to the kidneys to cause pyelonephritis.

• Kidney Stones calculi
• vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) abnormality in the mechanism that normally prevents backward flow or reflux of urine. VUR is most commonly diagnosed during childhood.
• pregnancy
• urinary tract catheterization or stents
• drainage procedures (e.g. nephrostomy)
• prostate disease (e.g. benign prostatic hyperplasia) in men
• Polycystic Kidney
• Horseshoe kidney
• Ureterocele
• neuropathic bladder (e.g. due to spinal cord damage, spina bifida or multiple sclerosis)

Foreign Body

• Urinary catheters
• Calculus

Constitutional

• Diabetes mellitus
• Immunocompromised states
• Sickle cell disease
• Transplantation
• Pregnancy
• HIV Infection
• Chemotherapy

General/Behavioral

• change in sexual partner within the last year,
• spermicide use
• Positive family history (close family members with frequent urination)
• Young women are most likely to be affected, traditionally reflecting sexual activity in that age group.
• Infants and the elderly are also at increased risk, reflecting anatomical abnormalities and hormonal status.