Effectiveness of Cranberry Capsules to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Vulnerable Older Persons: A Double‐Blind Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Trial in Long‐Term Care Facilities. Issue 1 (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caljouw, Monique A. A.; van den, Wilbert B.; Putter, Hein; Achterberg, Wilco P.; Cools, Herman J. M.; Gussekloo, Jacobijn
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 62:Issue 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.12593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jgs12593-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jgs12593-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To determine whether cranberry capsules prevent urinary tract infection (UTI) in long‐term care facility (LTCF) residents.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12593-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled multicenter trial.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12593-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Long‐term care facilities (LTCFs).</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12593-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>LTCF residents (N = 928; 703 women, median age 84).</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12593-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Measurements</title> <p>Cranberry and placebo capsules were taken twice daily for 12 months. Participants were stratified according to UTI risk (risk factors included long‐term catheterization, diabetes mellitus, ≥1 UTI in preceding year). Main outcomes were incidence of UTI according to a clinical definition and a strict definition.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12593-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In participants with high UTI risk at baseline (n = 516), the incidence of clinically defined UTI was lower with cranberry capsules than with placebo (62.8 vs 84.8 per 100 person‐years at risk, <italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>.04); the treatment effect was 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57–0.97). For the strict definition, the treatment effect was 1.02 (95% CI = 0.68–1.55). No difference in UTI incidence between cranberry and placebo was found in participants with low UTI risk (n = 412).</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12593-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>In LTCF residents with high UTI risk at baseline, taking cranberry capsules twice daily reduces the incidence of clinically defined UTI, although it does not reduce the incidence of strictly defined UTI. No difference in incidence of UTI was found in residents with low UTI risk.</p> </sec> </abstract>