Recurrent urinary tract infections: evidence base and debatable issues in non-antibacterial prevention

Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) is a highly prevalent, costly, and burdensome condition affecting women of all ages, races, and ethnicities without regard for socioeconomic status, or educational level. Modern strategies aimed at preventing recurrent UTI are still not optimal, as evidenced by the relatively high prevalence of this nosology in women. The purpose of this article was to highlight and discuss both the evidence base and a number of unresolved issues in the management of recurrent UTI. The following topics of clinical interest are considered: diagnosis, age-related associations, continuous and intermittent antimicrobial prophylaxis, the effectiveness of modern non-antimicrobial prophylaxis, the potential role of forinal (a complex of D-mannose and cranberry fruit extract) in the prevention of recurrent UTI.