INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in women and are frequently defined as ≥2 episodes in the last 6 months or ≥3 episodes in the last 12 months. In a primary care setting, 53 % of women above the age of 55 years and 36 % of younger women report a recurrence within 1 year. Thus, management and prevention of recurrent UTI is of utmost significance. This review aims to highlight the latest research in prevention strategies and suggest a management pathway. METHODS: A search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases for the latest systematic reviews and high-quality randomized controlled trials. Special emphasis was placed on the remit "recurrent" and strongly adhered to. Furthermore, a Google search was conducted for current guidelines on the management of UTIs. RESULTS: Current prevention strategies include eliminating risk factors that increase the risk of acquiring recurrent UTI and continuous, post-coital and self-initiated antimicrobial prophylaxis. Other prospective preventative strategies, currently under trial, include use of vaccinations, D-mannose and lactobacillus (probiotics). CONCLUSION: Although risk factors should be identified and addressed accordingly, individualized antibiotic prophylaxis remains the most effective method of management. Non-antibiotic prevention strategies such as cranberry, vitamin C and methenamine salts lack strong evidence to be introduced as routine management options and as alternatives to antibiotics. Based on current evidence and guidelines, a management pathway is recommended. Emerging therapies require further evaluation before they can be recommended.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in women and are frequently defined as ≥2 episodes in the last 6 months or ≥3 episodes in the last 12 months. In a primary care setting, 53 % of women above the age of 55 years and 36 % of younger women report a recurrence within 1 year. Thus, management and prevention of recurrent UTI is of utmost significance. This review aims to highlight the latest research in prevention strategies and suggest a management pathway. METHODS: A search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases for the latest systematic reviews and high-quality randomized controlled trials. Special emphasis was placed on the remit "recurrent" and strongly adhered to. Furthermore, a Google search was conducted for current guidelines on the management of UTIs. RESULTS: Current prevention strategies include eliminating risk factors that increase the risk of acquiring recurrent UTI and continuous, post-coital and self-initiated antimicrobial prophylaxis. Other prospective preventative strategies, currently under trial, include use of vaccinations, D-mannose and lactobacillus (probiotics). CONCLUSION: Although risk factors should be identified and addressed accordingly, individualized antibiotic prophylaxis remains the most effective method of management. Non-antibiotic prevention strategies such as cranberry, vitamin C and methenamine salts lack strong evidence to be introduced as routine management options and as alternatives to antibiotics. Based on current evidence and guidelines, a management pathway is recommended. Emerging therapies require further evaluation before they can be recommended.
Authors: Kalpana Gupta; Thomas M Hooton; Kurt G Naber; Björn Wullt; Richard Colgan; Loren G Miller; Gregory J Moran; Lindsay E Nicolle; Raul Raz; Anthony J Schaeffer; David E Soper Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2011-03-01 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Stacy M Lenger; Megan S Bradley; Debbie A Thomas; Marnie H Bertolet; Jerry L Lowder; Siobhan Sutcliffe Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2020-06-01 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Stacy M Lenger; Christine M Chu; Chiara Ghetti; Michael J Durkin; Zoe Jennings; Siobhan Sutcliffe; Jerry L Lowder Journal: Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg Date: 2022-06-01 Impact factor: 1.913
Authors: Rodrigo M Rocha; Pâmela C M Delvas Zanni; Patrícia de Souza Bonfim-Mendonça; Fabrícia Gimenes; Silvia S Dantas Alczuk; Terezinha I Estivalet Svidzinski; Márcia E Lopes Consolaro Journal: Int Urogynecol J Date: 2015-11-13 Impact factor: 2.894
Authors: Claire S Burton; Gabriela Gonzalez; Kristina Vaculik; Carine Khalil; Yuliya Zektser; Corey Arnold; Christopher V Almario; Brennan M R Spiegel; Jennifer T Anger Journal: Urology Date: 2020-07-13 Impact factor: 2.633