1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Aim and objectives
The European Association of Urology (EAU) Urological Infections Guidelines Panel has compiled these clinical guidelines to provide medical professionals with evidence-based information and recommendations for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and male accessory gland infections. These guidelines also aim to address the important public health aspects of infection control and antimicrobial stewardship. Separate EAU guidelines documents are available addressing paediatric urological infections [1] and infections in patients with neurological urinary tract dysfunction [2].
It must be emphasised that clinical guidelines present the best evidence available to the experts. However, following guideline recommendations will not necessarily result in the best outcome. Guidelines can never replace clinical expertise when making treatment decisions for individual patients, but rather help to focus decisions - also taking personal values and preferences/individual circumstances of patients into account. Guidelines are not mandates and do not purport to be a legal standard of care.
1.2. Panel composition
The EAU Urological Infections Guidelines Panel consists of a multi-disciplinary group of urologists, with particular expertise in this area, an infectious disease specialist and a clinical microbiologist. All experts involved in the production of this document have submitted potential conflict of interest statements, which can be viewed on the EAU website Uroweb: http://uroweb.org/guideline/urological-infections/.
1.3. Available publications
A quick reference document, the Pocket Guidelines, is available in print. This is an abridged version, which may require consultation together with the full text version. All documents are accessible through the EAU website Uroweb: http://uroweb.org/guideline/urological-infections/.
1.4. Publication history
The Urological Infections Guidelines were first published in 2001. This 2023 document presents a limited update of the 2022 publication.