CLINICAL SPECTRUM OF ACUTE PYELONEPHRITIS IN FEMALES AND ITS CORRELATION WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

BACKGROUND: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a severe upper urinary tract infection that predominantly affects women, with an annual incidence of 15–17 cases per 10,000 females in the United States1. This condition is characterized by renal inflammation, often resulting from the ascension of bacteria from the lower urinary tract. The most common pathogen implicated is Escherichia coli, responsible for approximately 80% of cases2. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of interrelated risk factors including abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, has been increasingly recognized as a significant health concern among women. Recent studies have suggested a potential link between MetS and an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs), including APN, in women However, the specific mechanisms underlying this association remain poorly understood, and the extent to which MetS contributes to the incidence and severity of APN in women warrants further investigation   AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study is to assess demographic and clinical profile of patients with Acute Pyelonephritis in females as well as to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and acute pyelonephritis.   METHODS: It was a Prospective observational single center hospital-based study conducted at Govt. Medical College Jammu in the Department of General Surgery in collaboration with department of Urology and Physiology from December 2024- June 2025.   RESULTS: The mean age of patients in our study was 55 years. Hyperlipidemia was the most common seen in 70% patients, followed closely by Diabetes mellitus 56%. Most common organism isolated in urine cultures was E. Coli which was seen in 72% of the patients. Mortality was around 2%. In our study, we found out that out of various parameters of metabolic syndrome, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity (BMI>30) and Hyperlipdemia (TG>150mg/dl) were the prognostic factors and predictors for failure of medical management and need for intervention thus establishing a clear relationship between metabolic syndrome and Acute Pyelonephritis. CONCLUSION: The intersection of acute pyelonephritis and metabolic syndrome in the female population underscores the need for comprehensive healthcare strategies that address both infectious and metabolic health. Further research is essential to elucidate the mechanisms linking MetS with increased susceptibility to APN and to develop targeted interventions that can mitigate this risk.