DIagnoSing Care hOme UTI Study

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON · May 19, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The DIagnoSing Care hOme UTI Study is a clinical trial aimed at improving how urinary tract infections (UTIs) are diagnosed in residents of care homes. UTIs are common in this population, but diagnosing them accurately is challenging. Symptoms can be unclear, especially for those with dementia, and some people may have bacteria in their urine without being sick. The study will explore new ways to identify UTIs by looking at specific symptoms, testing for new infection markers in urine, and using faster bedside tests.

To participate, individuals must be 65 years or older, permanently living in a care home, and able to provide consent or have someone to assist them. The study will involve 100 participants who will give information and a urine sample at the start, with 25 of them providing additional weekly samples for four weeks. If a participant shows signs of a UTI during the study, more samples and information will be collected. The goal is to gather valuable data that can help secure funding for a larger study focused on improving UTI diagnosis in care home residents.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Willing and able to give informed consent for the study, or if lacking capacity, a consultee willing to complete a consultee declaration form.
• • Permanently living in a care home (nursing, residential or mixed).
• • Aged 65 or over.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current/recent suspected UTI (within last 4 weeks). However, may be reassessed for eligibility after 4 weeks.
• • Temporary/respite resident (unlikely to remain living in the care home for the 6 months of the study duration)
• • Terminal illness limiting life expectancy such that inclusion would be inappropriate (as judged by care home staff).
• • Known to have a medical condition or be on treatment that is likely to result in severe impairment of the immune system. For example, neutropenia, recent cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or long-term use of oral steroids or other immunosuppressant medication.
• • Experiencing faecal incontinence to the extent that it is impossible to obtain an uncontaminated urine sample (as determined by care home staff).
• • Indwelling urinary catheter or regular use of intermittent catheterisation.
• • Structural urological abnormalities. For example, renal polycystic disease, horseshoe kidney, hydronephrosis, renal hypoplasia
• • Current renal tract malignancy. However, residents with prostate cancer will be eligible if they do not require catheterisation and are not considered terminally ill.