Epidemiology and management of urological emergencies in a tertiary care setting in Scandinavia

Epidemiology and management of urological emergencies in a tertiary care setting in Scandinavia

Catheter, Computed tomography, Emergency unit, Hematuria, Loin pain, Primary care healthcare,
Ultrasound, Urinary tract infection, Urological emergencies

Abstract
Objective To develop a baseline database detailing the distribution of urological emergencies and to define their
epidemiological profile in a tertiary care setting, with the hope of providing important data for health planning.
Design, settings and participants A retrospective study was conducted on all patients presenting with urological
emergencies at the Emergency Department (ED) of the NU Hospital Group in Trollhättan, Sweden throughout 2019.
Medical records of identified patients were reviewed retrospectively to summarize pertinent information.
Main results In 2019, 2 433 patients visited the ED with urological complaints, with 71% being male. Most patients
(83%) were self-referred and 15% referred by general practitioners (GPs). Loin pain, infectious symptoms, and
lower urinary tract symptoms were the most common complaints. Urinary and genital infections (UGIs) were the
most frequent diagnoses (37%), followed by urolithiasis (24%). 28% of patients required admission, particularly
for UGIs (42%). Self-referred patients had a higher admission rate compared to those referred by GPs. Radiological
investigations were performed in 48% of cases, though 65% showed no urological pathology.
Conclusions Most patients self-referred to the ED, and many required hospitalization, particularly for UGIs. Enhancing
the management of urological emergencies in primary care and refining guidelines for acute imaging could
contribute to more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Keywords Catheter, Computed tomography, Emergency unit, Hematuria, Loin pain, Primary care healthcare,
Ultrasound, Urinary tract infection, Urological emergencies

Adin Osmancevic1

, Alma Petersson2

, Anna Duverin1

, Bina Merzaai3

, Ella Hedlund4

, Giovanni Morera Porras5
,

Isabella Albinsson6

, Jasmine AL-Hadad5

, Salome Olsson7

, Daniel Vestberg5,8, Erik Sagen1,8,9 and

Suleiman Abuhasanein1,8,9*

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00882-8

2025

Peri Irawan

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