Thread by @Drug_Evidence

THREAD: How best to treat Urinary Tract Infections?

1/6 Our new TI Therapeutics Letter 135 describes the best approach for treating symptomatic, uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (UTIs)

👉🏽ti.ubc.ca/letter135

#MedEd #FOAMed #UTIs #BetterPrescribing

2/6 Use symptoms, not tests to diagnose UTIs:

Uncomplicated lower UTI can be diagnosed with > 90% probability if pt has 2 or more of dysuria, urgency, and frequency, and no vaginal discharge.

This is less reliably predicted for older women.

👉🏽ti.ubc.ca/letter135

#MedEd

3/6 No need to culture:

✅Fewer than 2% of urine cultures meaningfully impact choice of treatment or need for follow-up
✅Most guidelines recommend against culture for
symptomatic uncomplicated #UTIs

👉🏽ti.ubc.ca/letter135

#MedEd #BetterPrescribing #BetterHealth

4/6 Best choice for uncomplicated UTI?

Nitrofurantoin for 5-7 days provides best combination of:

✅Clinical effectiveness
✅Low bacterial resistance
✅Infrequent adverse events

👉🏽ti.ubc.ca/letter135

#MedEd #BetterPrescribing #BetterHealth

5/6 Conclusions on treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections:

Read Full letter here: ti.ubc.ca/letter135

#MedEd #BetterPrescribing #antibiotics

6/6 BC Family Physicians, your #PrescribingPortrait is NOW available at Portrait Online:

✅Read our new Prescribing Portrait on tx of UTIs: bit.ly/3IKjsdt

✅Sign up + learn more about how Portrait Online can support #BetterPrescribing: ti.ubc.ca/portrait