Acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections in general practice: clinical and microbiological cure rates after three- versus five-day treatment with trimethoprim.
OBJECTIVE
Epidemiological studies indicate that acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) in women can be successfully treated with short treatment regimens. However, the findings from the literature do not match experiences in daily practice.


METHODS
A randomised, controlled trial evaluating the microbiological and clinical (self-reported) cure rates of a three-day vs. five-day treatment regimen with trimethoprim for UTI in women.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference in bacteriological cure rate was found between the three-day and five-day regimen. One day after the shorter regimen 44% of women considered themselves as 'not-recovered' due to persistence of the symptoms compared with 35% after the five-day treatment (p > 0.05). Three days after therapy these percentages were 30 and 25% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The relatively high percentage of persistent symptoms one day after the three-day regimen might be responsible for general practitioners believing that short regimens are not successful. It is therefore advisable that if urine samples are controlled to wait at least three days after finishing treatment.
van Merode
Tiny
T
Department of General Practice, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Nys
Sita
S
Raets
Inge
I
Stobberingh
Ellen
E
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; D014295:Trimethoprim