Patient Factors Influencing Antibiotic Selection in Uncomplicated UTIs

Panelists discuss how fluoroquinolones are generally reserved for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) only when first-line options are contraindicated or pathogen resistance is confirmed, with treatment duration ranging from single-dose fosfomycin to 3 to 5 days for most antibiotics and 7 to 10 days for nitrofurantoin, noting shorter regimens typically achieve 85% to 95% adherence rates compared with 60% to 75% for longer courses, significantly affecting treatment success, particularly when patient factors such as adverse effects, dosing complexity, and lifestyle disruptions are considered.