Recurrent urinary tract infections and complications after symptomatic versus antibiotic treatment: follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in general practice, and are usually treated with antibiotics. Recurrent UTI often pose a serious problem for affected women. Little is known about recurrent UTI and complications when uncomplicated UTI are treated without antibiotics. With ICUTI (Immediate vs. conditional antibiotic use in uncomplicated UTI, funded by BMBF No. 01KG1105) we assessed whether initial symptomatic treatment with ibuprofen could be a treatment alternative for uncomplicated UTI. The presented analysis aims to assess the influence of initial (non-)antibiotic treatment on recurrent UTI rates and pyelonephritis after day 28 up to 6 months after trial participation.