Effectiveness of five different approaches in management of urinary tract infection: randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the impact of different management strategies in urinary tract infections.

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

309 non-pregnant women aged 18-70 presenting with suspected urinary tract infection.

Intervention

Patients were randomised to five management approaches: empirical antibiotics; empirical delayed (by 48 hours) antibiotics; or targeted antibiotics based on a symptom score (two or more of urine cloudiness, urine smell, nocturia, or dysuria), a dipstick result (nitrite or both leucocytes and blood), or a positive result on midstream urine analysis. Self help advice was controlled in each group.

Main outcome measures

Symptom severity (days 2 to 4) and duration, and use of antibiotics.

R

SUBMITTER: Little P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2817051 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature