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A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of a Combination of Propolis and Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) (DUAB®) in Preventing Low Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence in Women Complaining of Recurrent Cystitis.

  • 2019
  • Urologia internationalis 103(1)
    • Franck Bruyère
    • Abdel Rahmène Azzouzi
    • Jean-Philippe Lavigne
    • Stéphane Droupy
    • Patrick Coloby
    • Xavier Game
    • Gilles Karsenty
    • Bertrand Issartel
    • Alain Ruffion
    • Vincent Misrai
    • Albert Sotto
    • Francois-André Allaert

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 43
Population
85 women with recurrent acute cystitis (at least 4 episodes in previous year)
Methods
Randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 6-month follow-up
Duration
6 months

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of a product containing cranberry and propolis (DUAB) to placebo for reducing frequency of cystitis in women with recurrent acute cystitis.

Method

A multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized study of women aged >18 years with at least 4 episodes of cystitis in the previous 12 months was performed. The number of cystitis episodes over a 6-month follow-up was the primary end point.

Results

Forty-two women were included in the cranberry + propolis group, and 43 women were in the placebo group. The mean age was 53 ± 18 years, with 6.2 ± 3.6 cystitis episodes in the previous year, with no differences between the 2 groups. The mean number of infections was lower in the propolis + cranberry group (respectively, 2.3 ± 1.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.8). The total number of cystitis episodes in the first 3 months was lower in the propolis + cranberry group (0.7 ± 1.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1, p = 0.0257) after adjusting for water consumption. The mean time to onset of the first urinary tract infection (UTI) was also significantly longer in the propolis + cranberry group (69.9 ± 45.8 days vs. 43.3 ± 45.9, p = 0.0258). Tolerance to the treatments was good and comparable in both groups.

Conclusions

We demonstrate for the first time that cranberry and propolis supplementation significantly reduces the incidence of UTIs during the first 3 months and delays the onset of an episode of cystitis.

Research Insights

  • Cranberry→Delayed Onset of Urinary Tract Infection

    The mean time to onset of the first urinary tract infection (UTI) was also significantly longer in the propolis + cranberry group (69.9 ± 45.8 days vs. 43.3 ± 45.9, p = 0.0258)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Cranberry→Reduced Urinary Tract Infection

    The total number of cystitis episodes in the first 3 months was lower in the propolis + cranberry group (0.7 ± 1.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1, p = 0.0257)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Propolis→Delayed Onset of Urinary Tract Infection

    The mean time to onset of the first urinary tract infection (UTI) was also significantly longer in the propolis + cranberry group (69.9 ± 45.8 days vs. 43.3 ± 45.9, p = 0.0258)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Propolis→Reduced Urinary Tract Infection

    The total number of cystitis episodes in the first 3 months was lower in the propolis + cranberry group (0.7 ± 1.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1, p = 0.0257)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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