Research Study

Methods

Recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs): ≥2 episodes of uncomplicated acute infections in the last 6 months, or ≥3 episodes in the last 12 months.

A total of 90 subjects were randomised to treatment and 81 (90%) completed the study. Participants were randomised to receive either the active treatment (2 capsules containing 1 billion CFU of Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35, Lactobacillus plantarum PXN 47, 36mg cranberry proanthocyanidins, and 320μg vitamin A/retinyl acetate) or placebo daily for 6 months (see flow chart).

As per European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines uncomplicated UTI was diagnosed by > 103 cfu/mL of uropathogens in a mid-stream sample of urine in participants presenting with typical UTI symptoms (painful urination, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, abdominal pain, and bloody urine).

Results

• During the follow-up, 9% of the probiotic group compared to 33% of the placebo group experienced at least one episode of UTI (p<0.01)
• The time to first UTI episode in the probiotic group was on average 96 days longer than in the placebo group (175 vs 79 days; p=0.001)
• 72% fewer subjects in the probiotic group required treatment with antibiotics (3 vs 11; P < 0.05)
• Duration of antibiotic treatment in the probiotic group was nearly halved compared to the placebo group (4 vs 7 days; P = 0.09)

Conclusion

The probiotic-cranberry supplement achieved a significant reduction in rates of recurrent urinary tract infections and reduced the antibiotic exposure in adult women during a 6 month period.