Different lengths of treatment with co-trimoxazole for acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To compare three days' and seven days' treatment with co-trimoxazole in women with acute dysuria, strangury, and urinary frequency or urgency.

DESIGN

Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial.

SETTING

General practices in the south east of The Netherlands.

PATIENTS: 327 Non-pregnant female patients aged 12 to 65.

INTERVENTION: 161 Women were allocated to three days' treatment (co-trimoxazole 960 mg twice a day), and 166 women were allocated to seven days' treatment (co-trimoxazole 960 mg twice a day).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Resolution of symptoms at one, two, and six weeks.

RESULTS

The rates for resolution of symptoms were not significantly different between the two groups. Cumulative rates of recurrence after three days' and seven days' treatment were 31/139 (22%) and 23/151 (15%) respectively six weeks after entry (p = 0.16). Adverse effects occurred in a quarter of women given three days' treatment compared with a third of women receiving seven days' treatment (p = 0.29). In only two patients did adverse effects necessitate stopping treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Three days of co-trimoxazole seems to be as effective as a seven days' course for treating acute urinary tract infection in non-pregnant women.