title: Cranberry supplementation in the prevention of non-severe lower urinary tract infections: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cranberry extracts have been tested as a nutritional supplementation in the prevention of recurrent lower-urinary tract infections (R-UTIs), with mixed results. This pilot, registry study evaluates the prophylactic effects of oral supplementation with a new well-standardized cranberry extract in patients with R-UTI, over a 2-month follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects were suggested to take one capsule containing a cranberry extract (Anthocran™) for 60 days and were also given lifestyle advice. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients on cranberry extracts and those who don't take this supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 22 subjects completed the study in each of the two groups. In the cranberry group, the reduction in the frequency of UTI episodes during the study period compared with the two months before the inclusion was 73.3% (p < 0.05). This figure was 15.4% in the control group (p < 0.05; p = 0.012 vs cranberry group). Seven (31.8%) subjects in the cranberry group were symptom-free; no patient was symptom-free in the control group (p < 0.05). The mean duration of UTI episodes was 2.5 ± 1.3 days in the cranberry group, compared with 3.6 ± 1.7 days in subjects not on cranberry (p < 0.05). Three subjects (13.6%) in the cranberry group and 8 (36.3%) in the control group required medical consultation for UTI symptoms (p < 0.05). Urine evaluation was completely negative in 20/22 subjects in the Cranberry group (90.9%) and in 11 control subjects (50.0%; p < 0.005). No adverse events were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results, obtained in a field-practice setting, indicates the effectiveness and safety of a well-standardized cranberry extract in the prevention of R-UTI.
authors: IRVINE3 Vascular/Circulation Labs, Deparment of Biomedical Sciences, Chieti-Pescara University, Pescara, Italy, and Samaritans, Spoltore, PE, Italy. cardres@abol.it.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ledda
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bottari
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Luzzi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Belcaro
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Hu
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Dugall
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hosoi
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Ippolito
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Corsi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Gizzi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Morazzoni
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Riva
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Giacomelli
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Togni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts