pgs. 86B-87A.doc
Urinary Tract Infection and Cranberry Juice
(Original title: Hamwegsinfekt
und Preiselbeersaft. Merkurstab 1995; 48: 194. English
by A. R. Meuss, FIL, MTA.)
UTI (urinary tract infection) is known
to be on the increase all over the
world, mainly in women. Cranberries
are a home remedy for cystitis. To
test the validity of this, a randomized
double-blind placebo-controlled trial
was conducted with older women,
using the strict criteria of today. It
was of particular interest to establish
if there was a prophylactic effect since
antibiotics are known to be effective
but do not prevent recurrences.
153 patients were given either
300 ml of a commercially available
cranberry juice or a placebo drink
exactly the same in appearance, taste
and vitamin C content. At the conclusion
of the trial period, 28% of the
women in the placebo group and 15%
in the cranberry juice group had bacteriuria.
The protective effect of cranberry juice
was statistically significant (p < 0.004).
In addition, bacteriuria decreased in subjects
Presenting with it at the beginning of the trial in
the cranberry group. This was expressed by
stating that the probability of remaining
bacteriuric while taking cranberry juice was
a quarter theprobability in the placebo group, a
highly significant result (p < 0.006).
An entirely secondary aspect is
whether the effect was due to acidification
of the urine due to hippuric
acid or to inhibition of bacterial
adherence to the urothelium.
The investigations are of value
not only because they rehabilitate and
demonstrate statistical significance of
efficacy for a popular plant-based
product but also because recurrences,
which are almost certain to occur
after antibiotic treatment, can largely
be prevented. This may also throw
light on the fundamental point of
attack - bacteria or organism - which
is usually left out of the picture.
Otto Wolff, MD
AufderHoehe lO
CH-4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland