The following grant has been awarded by the AMR network:

Improving diagnosis and reducing antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections in older adults.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common clinical reason for antimicrobial treatment in primary and secondary care. An estimated 40% of cases of UTI in over 65 year olds are misdiagnosed, leading to over-prescribing of antibiotics. This has detrimental consequences to the patient and contributes to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. 

This study will address the problem of misdiagnosis and overtreatment of UTIs by conducting an in-depth analysis of current systems and pathways for diagnosing UTI in adults over 65 years within two hospitals, and identifying points for intervention and improving methods of diagnosis. This interdisciplinary research project will be undertaken by academics at Loughborough University with clinicians and microbiologists at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The study will employ qualitative and quantitative research methods to understand why UTIs are overdiagnosed and will apply these findings to develop appropriate interventions to reduce antibiotic prescribing.

Investigators: Dr Emily Rousham and Dr Emily Petherick, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University; Dr Paula Saukko, Department of Social Sciences, Loughborough University; Dr Beryl Oppenheim, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Mike Cooper, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

For further information on this project, please contact Dr Emily Rousham e.k.rousham@lboro.ac.uk.