Cranberry as a Strategy for Preventing CAUTI Post Gynecologic Surgery

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Infections of the genitourinary ract account for ~ 40% of all hospital- acquired infections;of these, 80% are related to urinary tract instrumentation and catheterization. Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a common complication of patients undergoing gynecologic surgery, with 10-27% of gynecologic surgery patients developing a UTI in the post operatory period - despite prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Further, UTI pathogens are increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Most CAUTI prevention strategies have focused on modifying the catheter, improving hygiene associated with catheter insertion, and using prophylactic antibiotics. Cranberry products provide an alternative;they inhibit adherence of E. coli and other gram-negative bacteria to uroepithelial cells, (and likely of gram positive bacteria as well), and are known to reduce UTI incidence among non-catheterized populations. Thus, cranberry potentially provides alternative means for preventing CAUTI that also would reduce prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic use. To date, the use of cranberry products for the prevention of UTI among catheterized post operator gynecological patients remains an unexplored potential intervention. We propose a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial of 200 surgical gynecological patients. Our overall goal is to determine the effect of taking cranberry capsules on reducing the rate of post operatory CAUTI among surgical gynecological patients. This pilot study will have 2 arms: 1) Cranberry capsules equivalent to 8 oz of cranberry juice (CJ) twice a day 2) Placebo capsules twice a day. The results of this study will help us to increase our understanding the effect of cranberry on reducing the prevalence of post gynecologic surgery CAUTI, aiming for a large scale clinical trial in the future. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Approximately 10-27% of patients undergoing gynecologic surgeries develop a catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in the post operatory period, as bladder catheterization is a common practice in gynecologic surgery, Cranberry products, provide alternative means for preventing CAUTI and could result in decreased use of antimicrobials. In this pilot study we will enroll 200 women post gynecologic surgery and randomize them to take either cranberry capsules or placebo. The low risk of harm associated with using cranberry to reduce UTI coupled with its potential benefit makes it a desirable intervention for the prevention of CAUTI. The conduct/ results of this pilot /feasibility study will prepare us for the conduct of a large scale clinical trial.