Ricerc@Sapienza

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of orally administered combination of hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate (CS), curcumin, and quercetin for the prevention of postcoital recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in reproductive age women.
METHODS:Ninety-eight consecutive patients in reproductive age affected by UTI were considered for the study. All 98 patients received a combination of HA, CS, curcumin, and quercetin two tablets per diem for the first month and one tablet every day for the next 5 months. We investigate recurrence of UTI with the Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms Assessment and the Pelvic Pain and Urinary Urgency Frequency. The quality of life and sexual function were valued using 36-Item Short Form Survey, Female Sexual Function Index, and the Female Sexual Distress Scale questionnaires. The same investigations were performed at the first visit and after 6 months of treatment.
RESULTS:The symptoms associated with UTI significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment, in particular dysuria episodes diminished and number of voiding decreased (P < 0.0001). During the treatment period, only seven patients (7.1%) experienced a UTI recurrence, confirmed by positive urine culture with bacteriuria of greater than 10 colony forming units/mL. The Pelvic Pain and Urinary Urgency Frequency, Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale, and 36-Item Short Form Survey showed a statistically significant improvement after 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS:Oral administration of a combination of HA, CS, curcumin, and quercetin is a valid and well-tolerated nonantibiotic treatment for prevention of postcoital UTI in reproductive age women.