Retrospective Review on the Safety and Efficacy of Nitrofurantoin for the Treatment of Cystitis in the Veteran Population With or Without Renal Insufficiency

Abstract

Abstract Background The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in uropathogens has generated interest in the use of nitrofurantoin in controversial populations, such as in males and those with renal dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of nitrofurantoin for the treatment of cystitis in males and females with variable degrees of renal dysfunction. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted in adult patients who received nitrofurantoin for acute cystitis in the outpatient setting. The primary outcome was clinical cure compared between males and females and across various renal function groups (creatinine clearances [CrCl] >60 mL/min, 30–60 mL/min, and <30 mL/min) following nitrofurantoin treatment. The secondary outcome was adverse events. Results A total of 446 patients were included, with 278 females and 168 males. The overall clinical cure rate was 86.5% (95% CI, 83.0%–89.4%; n = 386). The clinical cure rate did not vary between genders (odds ratio [OR], 0.6; 95% CI 0.35–1.04; P = .085) or between patients with a CrCl >60 mL/min compared with those with CrCl 30–60 mL/min (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.40–2.44; P = 1). The 1 patient with a CrCl <30 mL/min was not included in the analysis. A history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.26–0.99; P = .045) or cirrhosis (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06–0.82; P = .025) was associated with decreased odds of clinical cure. Adverse events occurred in 2% (n = 9) of patients. Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference in clinical cure with nitrofurantoin between genders or various renal functions.