Can a concentrated cranberry extract prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in women? A pilot study.

BACKGROUND Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely prevalent and despite treatment with antibiotics, reoccurrences are common causing frustration in the patient and the potential for developing antibiotic resistance. The use of cranberry products to prevent UTIs has recently become popular and more clinical studies are needed to explore this use. OBJECTIVE This open label pilot study examined the ability of a concentrated cranberry preparation to prevent UTIs in women with a history of recurrent infections. SUBJECTS Women between the ages of 25 and 70 years old were included with a history of a minimum of 6 UTIs in the proceeding year. INTERVENTION The women took one capsule twice daily for 12 weeks containing 200 mg of a concentrated cranberry extract standardized to 30% phenolics. DESIGN A questionnaire was used initially to determine the patient's medical history and they were asked at monthly intervals if any of the information had changed. All of the women in the study had urinalysis within 24h before starting on the study preparation and once a month after that for 4 months. Subjects were followed-up approximately 2 years later. RESULTS All 12 subjects participated in the 12-week study and were available for follow up 2 years later. During the study none of the women had a UTI. No adverse events were reported. Two years later, eight of the women who continue to take cranberry, continue to be free from UTIs. CONCLUSION A cranberry preparation with a high phenolic content may completely prevent UTIs in women who are subject to recurrent infections.