Evaluation of cranberry juice on bacteriuria and pyuria in spinal cord injured patient with neurogenic bladder

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common medical complication experienced by individuals living with SCI. Several factors are responsible for the high prevalence of UTIs in individual with SCI. Concerns regarding the overuse of antibiotics in individuals with SCI and emerge multi-drug-resistant bacteria, has prompted consideration for consumer –directed alternatives to improve urinary tract health. This study was designed to evaluation of cranberry juice on bacteriuria and pyuria and in spinal cord injured patients with neurogenic bladder in Shahrekord, Iran. This study was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 60 patients (51 male and 9 female) with creatinine levels below 1. 5 mg/dl and in the analysis of their urine white blood cell (WBC) counts were greater than 10 in a high-powered field (pyuria) or with a presence of bacteriuria (>= 104 cc/ml) in their urine culture selected in this study. Urine analysis and culture were carried out at before and after intervention. Samples was divided into two two groups of 30. The case patients were given a dose of 250 to 300 ml of cranberry juice cocktail with 30% concentration, daily with meals. The control group was fed the same amount of a placebo cocktail. After two weeks, first morning urine analysis and culture test were done. Data collected and analyzed using K-squared method using the SPSS software and Paired-T test technique. Urine analysis and culture before and after interventions show, Urinary PH in case and control groups did not any significant statistical difference before and after intervention (P>0. 05). A change in pyuria and bacteriuria levels in case patients was observed after the treatment which was statistically significant (P<0. 05). However, after treatment, the bacterial colony count in the case patients had dropped as a result of the cranberry juice consumption. the urine foul-smell was noticeably reduced in treated case patients (CI>95٪). Consumption of cranberries can be effective in treating SCI patients with UTI under certain conditions. The effectiveness was most profound in patients with normal GFR who did not use urinary catheter for urination. The effectiveness was especially seen in short term reduction of pyuria and bacteriuria levels and in reduction of foul-smelling of patient's urine.