Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in Swedish primary care; etiology, resistance and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI) is common and a majority of patients are prescribed antibiotics. There is little knowledge about antibiotic resistance in urine samples from patients with uUTI in primary health care (PHC). The aim was to describe antibiotic treatment, bacterial findings, the prevalence of resistant E.coli and factors associated with antibiotic resistance. The aim was also to compare the prevalence of resistant E.coli in clinical practice with the prevalence of resistant E.coli in routine microbiological laboratory data. METHODS: This observational study in PHC setting started in November 2014 and ended in March 2016. Women aged 17 years and older with symptoms indicating uUTI from eight PHCs were included. Questionnaires were used to retrieve anamnestic data. All urine samples were sent to the local laboratory of microbiology for diagnostic analysis and susceptibility testing. Proportions of resistant E.coli were compared with corresponding data from the regional laboratory. RESULTS: Urine cultures were analysed in 304 women with a median age of 46 (IQR 32-66) years. Bacterial growth was found in 243 (80%) of urine samples, and E.coli in 72% of the positive samples. A total of 80% of detected E.coli isolates were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials and resistance rates to ciprofloxacin were lower than reported from the local clinical laboratory. Antibiotic treatment within the last year was independently associated with antibiotic resistant E.coli in the urine sample adjusted OR 4.97 (95% CI 2.04-12.06). A total of 74% of the women were treated with antibiotics. The most prescribed was pivmecillinam followed by nitrofurantoin. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic resistance in E.coli was low. Antibiotic treatment within the last year was associated with antibiotic resistant E.coli. Data from the clinical microbiology laboratory indicates that laboratory data may overestimate antibiotic resistance and lead to an unnecessary change in empiric antibiotic treatment of uUTI in primary care. The empirically prescribed antibiotics, were inline with Swedish treatment recommendations for uUTI.

Treatment of depression and/or anxiety - outcomes of a randomised controlled trial of the tree theme method® versus regular occupational therapy.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety disorders are a major concern in western countries, and because these often have a negative affect on everyday life interventions based on activities in everyday life are needed. The Tree Theme Method® (TTM) is a client-centred occupational therapy intervention designed to increase the ability to cope with, and to enhance satisfaction with, everyday life, both at home and at work. The aim of this study was to compare the short term outcomes of the TTM intervention with regular occupational therapy treatment for people with depression and/or anxiety disorders. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial included patients from three counties in Sweden. Men and women with depression and/or anxiety disorders, ages 18 to 65, were randomised to either TTM or regular occupational therapy. Assessment data were collected at baseline and the follow-up directly after completing the intervention. Non-parametric and parametric statistical methods were used. RESULTS: The questionnaires were answered by 118 patients at baseline and by 107 patients after completing the intervention. No significant differences in short term outcomes were found between the groups. Both groups showed positive significant outcomes regarding almost all aspects of activities in everyday life, psychological symptoms, and health-related and intervention-related aspects. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of differences between the groups, the positive outcomes regarding activities in everyday life, psychological symptoms, and health-related aspects after completing the intervention indicates the need for further research on the long-term perspective of TTM compared to regular occupational therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov: NCT01980381 ; registered November 2013.