Effect of a Herbal Therapy on Clinical Symptoms of Acute Lower Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Secondary Analysis from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background: Antibiotics are commonly used as first-line treatment for acute lower uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs). However, antimicrobial resistance is a growing global problem and efficacious nonantibiotic treatment options are urgently needed. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted with data from a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial comparing a fixed combination of extracts of restharrow root, Java tea, and goldenrod herb (Aqualibra®) to placebo in 200 women with acute lower uUTI. Symptom scores reported in the original trial were reanalyzed and adjusted to the definitions of the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS). Results: Based on a subgroup of patients with evaluable microbiologic data (n = 122), the decrease of the mean sum-score of three typical ACSS-adjusted symptoms showed significant superiority of the herbal preparation over placebo already after one day of treatment (p = 0.0086); on Day 7, the average difference was −1.9 score points (p < 0.0001). The superior efficacy of the herbal preparation on Day 1 was mainly driven by a difference in response rates of the symptom ‘dysuria’ (group difference: −29.4%, p = 0.0042). Furthermore, significantly fewer patients in the verum group required antibiotic therapy (15.3% vs. 49.2%, p = 0.0001). These results were confirmed in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (n = 200). Conclusions: A fixed combination of extracts of restharrow root, Java tea, and goldenrod herb was superior to placebo…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a secondary / pooled analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 200 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB severity with quality of life and mental health in China, Taiwan and South Korea: results from a cross-sectional, population-based study
- Ten-Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Low-Dose Rabeprazole, Bismuth, Amoxicillin, and Tetracycline Is an Effective and Safe First-Line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Population with High Antibiotic Resistance: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Clinical Trial in China
- The Role of the NLR and PLR in Urinary Tract Infection
- Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic
- Leclercia adecarboxylata urinary tract infection in a patient with bladder cancer and recurrent hematuria
- A Case Series of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection in Cancer Patients at an Academic Cancer Institute in the United States
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.