Popis: |
Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the herbal medicine Canephron®N, particularly regarding its ability to prevent recurrences of cystitis, associated with E.Coli in women of child-bearing age. Methods Ninety patients were randomised into two treatment groups. Both, the test group (n = 45) and the control group (n = 45), received an antibacterial therapy (fluoroquinolones) for 7 days determined by urine culture. Furthermore, in both groups general recommendations on preventing cystitis were made (sufficient liquid consumption, avoidance of hypothermia etc.). The test group received an additional Canephron®N therapy for 3 months (2 tablets, three times a day). Control examinations were conducted on day 7 and after 3, 6 and 12 months; or immediately in the case of a recurrent episode. The following cystitis symptoms were recorded at each time point: pain in the bladder, burning and stinging during urination, urinary urgency and frequent urination in small amounts. The criteria for defining a recurrent episode of cystitis were rebound lower urinary tract infection symptoms with pyuria and positive bacteriological urine culture. Results Canephron®N in addition to fluoroquinolones helps to reduce cystitis symptoms after 7 days better compared to treatment with fluoroquinolones only, as well as pyuria after 3, 6 and 12 months and urine levels of E. coli at 3 and 12 months. The frequency rate of recurrent episodes of cystitis was in the test group always lower than in the control group with a statistically significant difference at 6 months (8.9% vs. 17.8%) and at 12 months (15.5% vs. 35.5%). At 12 months, the mean score of the LUTI Symptom Severity Index was 6 (p ≤ 0.05) in the control patients and 3 (p ≤ 0.05) in the test patients. This may indicate that the relapses were less severe in the test group. Conclusion Treatment with the herbal medicine Canephron®N is a novel treatment method of alleviating the symptoms of cystitis and especially for reducing the rate of recurrent cystitis episodes. |