Dipsticks and Microscopy to Reduce Antibiotic Use in Women's Urinary Tract Infections: a Pilot Trial (MicUTI)

With the aim to pilot a full-scaled trial to reduce unnecessary antibiotics in women with suspected uncomplicated urinary tract infections, twenty general practices in Bavaria, Germany, will be randomized to deliver patient management based on phase-contrast microscopy and urinary dipsticks or to usual care. Primary endpoints are recruitment and retention rates.

Inclusion Criteria:Women with at least two of dysuria, frequency, urgency, lower abdominal pain or hematuria.Exclusion Criteria:Signs of a complicated UTI (anamnesis of fever, chills or flank pain)Clinically relevant immunosuppression (i.e., current use of any immunosup-pressive therapy, congenital or acquired disorders of immunity)Acute or chronic functional or anatomical variations in urinary tract except renal insufficiency grade II/IIIaPermanent bladder catheter or use of bladder catheter within the past two weeksUTI within the past two weeksUse of any antibiotic within the past two weeksAccommodation in a nursing home or hospital stay within the past two weeksSevere neurologic or psychiatric illness, severe dementia or severe substance use disorderOther severe diseasesBeing unable to understand the informed consent or to complete the patient diaryKnown pregnancyCurrent participation in another clinical trial or participation in trial within the past 28 days