[Can ingestion of cranberry juice reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections in a department of geriatric medicine?].
BACKGROUND
The incidence of urinary tract infections was compared in two geriatric units, where patients were offered cranberry juice and the usual mixed berry juice, respectively.


METHODS
In all cases where urinary tract infection was suspected, the doctors noted symptoms and signs used as indication for urinary culture. The urine collected from men was the usual mid-flow specimen, whereas the specimens from women were taken from a bedpan and by catheter. End points were the prevalence of symptoms leading to urine culture, specimens with significant growth of bacteria, and the use of antibiotics.


RESULTS
Urine specimens were cultured in 140/338 cases. The reason for culture in 23% was general symptoms and in 62% urinary tract symptoms. A significant growth of bacteria was found in 54% and this information led to antibiotic treatment in 44%. In all cases (n = 55) where bedpan and catheter specimens were taken, the results were identical.


CONCLUSIONS
Cranberry juice in a geriatric department, where the mean stay was 4 weeks, did not influence the incidence of urinary tract infections.
Kirchhoff
M
M
H:S Kommunehospitalet, geriatrisk afdeling, og.
Renneberg
J
J
Damkjaer
K
K
Pietersen
I
I
Schroll
M
M
D000368:Aged; D001628:Beverages; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005638:Fruit; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*