Abstract
Study Design:
Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial with a crossover design.
Objective:
To evaluate cranberry tablets for the prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI) in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients.
Setting:
Spinal Cord Injury Unit of a Veterans Administration Hospital, MA, USA.
Methods:
Subjects with spinal cord injury and documentation of neurogenic bladder were randomized to receive 6 months of cranberry extract tablet or placebo, followed by the alternate preparation for an additional 6 months. The primary outcome was the incidence of UTI.
Results:
Forty-seven subjects completed the trial. We found a reduction in the likelihood of UTI and symptoms for any month while receiving the cranberry tablet (P<0.05 for all). During the cranberry period, 6 subjects had 7 UTI, compared with 16 subjects and 21 UTI in the placebo period (P<0.05 for both number of subjects and incidence). The frequency of UTI was reduced to 0.3 UTI per year vs 1.0 UTI per year while receiving placebo. Subjects with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) greater than 75 ml min−1 received the most benefit.
Conclusion:
Cranberry extract tablets should be considered for the prevention of UTI in SCI patients with neurogenic bladder. Patients with a high GFR may receive the most benefit.
Sponsorship:
Spinal Cord Research Foundation, sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America
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Hess, M., Hess, P., Sullivan, M. et al. Evaluation of cranberry tablets for the prevention of urinary tract infections in spinal cord injured patients with neurogenic bladder. Spinal Cord 46, 622–626 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2008.25
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2008.25
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