Treatment of Uncomplicated Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection with Chinese Medicine Formula: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate Chinese medicine (CM) formula Bazheng Powder (八正散) as an alternative therapeutic option for female patients with recurrent urinary tract infection (RUTI). Methods: A randomized double-blinded trial was performed. Eligible female patients with RUTI were recruited from one hospital and two community health centers. By using a blocked randomization scheme, participants were randomized to receive a CM formula (10 herbs) for 4 weeks or antibiotics for 1 week, followed by 3 weeks of placebo. Clinical cure rate and microbiological cure and recurrence after treatment were evaluated. Results: A total 122 eligible patients were enrolled, with 61 cases in each group. The clinical cure rate by the intentto- treatment approach was 90.2% for the CM group and 82.0% for the antibiotics group (P>0.05). Bacteria were cleared from 88.5% (54/61) of patients in the CM group and 82.0% (50/61) in the antibiotics group. The recurrence rate in recovered patients at the 6-month follow-up was 9.1% (5/61) and 14.0 (7/61) in the CM and antibiotics groups, respectively (P>0.05). Conclusion: CM formula Bazheng Powder is a good alternative option for RUTI treatment. (Registration No. NCT01745328)