Antibiotic switch after treatment with UTI antibiotics in male patients

Acute cystitis in men- a nationwide study from primary care: antibiotic prescriptions, risk factors, and complications

BACKGROUND

Research on acute cystitis in men is scarce and treatment guidelines differ between countries. Improved antibiotic stewardship is needed.

AIM

To analyse antibiotic prescriptions and outcomes of Norwegian men diagnosed with cystitis in primary care.

DESIGN & SETTING

A nationwide retrospective study was undertaken in primary care in Norway.

METHOD

We identified all episodes of acute cystitis in men diagnosed in Norwegian primary care during 2012-2019. Choice of antibiotic (from the Norwegian Prescription Database), treatment failure, re-prescription, and complications were stratified by age, calendar year, and risk factors. We used logistic regression to explore predefined risk factors (diabetes, prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia [BPH], urinary retention, and any cancer) with complications (pyelonephritis, prostatitis, and hospitalisation) and re-prescriptions. Linear regression was used to explore time trends.

RESULTS

In total, 108 994 individuals contributed 148 635 episodes. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics were first-choice treatment in 71.0% of the episodes (52.5% of all prescriptions were pivmecillinam). More than 75% of the episodes with narrow-spectrum versus 82.2% of broad-spectrum treatment did not lead to any re-prescription or complication. Complications occurred in 1.8% of all episodes (0.5% prostatitis, 0.7% pyelonephritis, and 0.7% hospitalisation). BPH was associated with increased risk of complications and re-prescription. Diabetes was associated with a lower risk of re-prescriptions. Prostate cancer and urinary retention were associated with a lower risk of both complications and re-prescriptions.

CONCLUSION

Our results support narrow-spectrum antibiotics as first-line treatment. Risk factor analyses warrants further investigation.

Guidelines for the management of male urinary tract infections in primary care: a lack of international consensus-a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The management of adult male urinary tract infections (mUTIs) in primary care lacks international consensus. The main objective of this study was to describe the different guidelines for the diagnosis and management of mUTIs in primary care, to assess their methodological quality, and to describe their evidence-based strength of recommendation (SoR).

METHODS

An international systematic literature review of the electronic databases Medline (PubMed) and EMBASE, and gray-literature guideline-focused databases was performed in 2021. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) assessment tool was used by 2 independent reviewers to appraise each guideline.

RESULTS

From 1,678 records identified, 1,558 were screened, 134 assessed for eligibility, and 29 updated guidelines met the inclusion criteria (13 from Medline, 0 from EMBASE, and 16 from gray literature). Quality assessment revealed 14 (48%) guidelines with high-quality methodology. A grading system methodology was used in 18 (62%) guidelines. Different classifications of mUTIs are described, underlining a lack of international consensus: an anatomic classification (cystitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis) and a symptomatic classification (approach based on the intensity and tolerance of symptoms). The duration of antibiotic treatment for febrile mUTIs has been gradually reduced over the last 20 years from 28 days to 10-14 days of fluoroquinolones (FQ), which has become the international gold standard. Guidelines from Scandinavian countries propose short courses (3-5 days) of FQ-sparing treatments: pivmecillinam, nitrofurantoin, or trimethoprim. Guidelines from French-speaking countries use a watchful waiting approach and suggest treating mUTIs with FQ, regardless of fever.

CONCLUSIONS

This lack of scientific evidence leads to consensus and disagreement: 14 days of FQ for febrile mUTIs is accepted despite a high risk of antimicrobial resistance, but FQ-sparing treatment and/or short treatment for afebrile mUTIs is not. The definition of afebrile UTIs/cystitis is debated and influences the type and duration of antibiotic treatment recommended.

Diagnosis and management of male urinary tract infections: a need for new guidelines. Study from a French general practice electronic database

BACKGROUND

The definition and the treatment of male urinary tract infections (UTIs) are imprecise. This study aims to determine the frequency of male UTIs in consultations of general practice, the diagnostic approach and the prescribed treatments.

METHODS

We extracted the consultations of male patients, aged 18 years or more, during the period 2012-17 with the International Classification of Primary Care, version 2 codes for UTIs or associated symptoms from PRIMEGE/MEDISEPT databases of primary care. For eligible consultations in which all symptoms or codes were consistent with male UTIs, we identified patient history, prescribed treatments, antibiotic duration, clinical conditions, additional examinations and bacteriological results of urine culture.

RESULTS

Our study included 610 consultations with 396 male patients (mean age 62.5 years). Male UTIs accounted for 0.097% of visits and 1.44 visits per physician per year. The UTIs most commonly identified were: undifferentiated (52%), prostatitis (36%), cystitis (8.5%) and pyelonephritis (3.5%). Fever was recorded in 14% of consultations. Urine dipstick test was done in 1.8% of consultations. Urine culture was positive for Escherichia coli in 50.4% of bacteriological tests. Fluoroquinolones were the most prescribed antibiotics (64.9%), followed by beta-lactams (17.4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (11.9%) and nitrofurantoin (2.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Male UTIs are rare in general practice and have different presentations. The definition of male UTIs needs to be specified by prospective studies. Diagnostic evidence of male cystitis may reduce the duration of antibiotic therapy and spare critical antibiotics.

Treatment of uncomplicated UTI in males: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect around 20% of the male population in their lifetime. The incidence of UTIs in men in the community is 0.9-2.4 cases per 1000 aged <55 years and 7.7 per 1000 aged ≥85 years.

AIM

To evaluate the outcomes of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effectiveness of different antimicrobial treatments and durations for uncomplicated UTIs in adult males in outpatient settings.

METHOD

A systematic literature review of RCTs of adult male patients with an uncomplicated UTI treated with oral antimicrobials in any outpatient setting. The outcomes were symptom resolution within 2 weeks of starting treatment, duration until symptom resolution, clinical cure, bacteriological cure, and frequency of adverse events.

RESULTS

From the 1052 abstracts screened, three provided sufficient information on outcomes. One study compared trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 14 days (21 males) with 42 days (21 males). Fluoroquinolones were compared in the two other RCTs: lomefloxacin (10 males) with norfloxacin (11 males), and ciprofloxacin for 7 days (19 males) and 14 days (19 males). Combining the results from the three RCTs shows that for 75% males with a UTI (76/101) bacteriological cure was reported at the end of the study. Of the 59 patients receiving a fluoroquinolone, 57 (97%) reported bacteriological and clinical cure within 2 weeks after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The evidence available is insufficient to make any recommendations in relation to type and duration of antimicrobial treatment for male UTIs. Sufficiently powered RCTs are needed to identify best treatment type and duration for male UTIs in primary care.