No Benefit Found with Antibiotics

For years, physicians have recommended regular urine tests for women with diabetes. Whenever bacteria were found, they would prescribe an antibiotic, whether or not the patient was symptomatic.

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (11/14/02) concludes that ?there are no benefits to obtaining routine urine cultures from diabetic women.?

In the 3-year study, 55 diabetic women with bacteria in their urine but no symptoms were given antibiotics.  Another 50 were given a placebo. They were screened every 3 months. The study found that 40% of the placebo group developed urinary tract infections. Yet, 42% of the treated group developed infections, demonstrating that the drugs had no preventive effect at all.