Is there a connection between blood sugar control and urinary tract infections?

This study investigated the relationship between blood sugar control and urinary tract infections in women with type 1 diabetes. The study concluded that the frequency of urinary tract infections (UTIs) increases with poor blood sugar control.

It is known that diabetes is associated with a higher risk for UTI. A UTI is an infection in part of your urinary system, such as the bladder or kidneys. A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and start to multiply.

Diabetes and other conditions that influence the immune system can affect defense against germs, thus increasing the risk of UTIs. However, the relationship between blood sugar control and the risk of UTI’s is not fully understood. It is thought that higher amounts of sugar in the urine can help bacteria to grow.

This study examined the association between blood sugar levels and UTIs in women with type 1 diabetes.

17,572 women with type 1 diabetes were included in this study. 15% of the women reported having had at least one UTI diagnosed by a doctor. The relationship between the women’s HbA1c levels (average blood sugar level over 3 months) and the number of UTI’s was assessed.

For every 1% increase in HbA1c level there was a 21% increase in the number of UTIs. Recent HbA1c levels were higher among women reporting UTIs compared to women not reporting UTIs.

The current study concluded that the frequency of urinary tract infections (UTIs) increases with poor blood sugar control.

A limitation of this study was that it relied on patients to report UTIs. The researchers did not carry out any laboratory testing to evaluate these reports.