Understanding urinary tract infections in care home residents

Feasibility Cohort Study on Predictors of Diagnosis and Prognosis of Urine Infection in Care Home Residents: DIagnoSing Care hOme UTI Study

Observational University of Southampton · NCT05880329

This study is trying to find better ways to diagnose urinary tract infections in care home residents, especially those who may have trouble communicating their symptoms.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Southampton Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Southampton)
Trial IDNCT05880329 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to improve the diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among care home residents, a group particularly vulnerable to these infections. It will recruit 100 participants from various care homes and collect baseline data, including urine samples, to analyze microbiological and urinary biomarkers. Over six months, the study will monitor participants for possible UTI episodes and gather feedback from residents, families, and care staff regarding the study's feasibility and acceptability. The goal is to address the challenges of accurately diagnosing UTIs in this population, particularly in those with cognitive impairments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are care home residents aged 65 and over who are willing to provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients currently experiencing a suspected UTI or those with terminal illnesses may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate diagnoses of UTIs in care home residents, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies focusing on UTIs in similar populations, this specific approach to understanding diagnosis challenges in care home residents is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing and able to give informed consent for the study, or if lacking capacity, a consultee willing to complete a consultee declaration form.
* Permanently living in a care home (nursing, residential or mixed).
* Aged 65 or over.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current/recent suspected UTI (within last 4 weeks). However, may be reassessed for eligibility after 4 weeks.
* Temporary/respite resident (unlikely to remain living in the care home for the 6 months of the study duration)
* Terminal illness limiting life expectancy such that inclusion would be inappropriate (as judged by care home staff).
* Known to have a medical condition or be on treatment that is likely to result in severe impairment of the immune system. For example, neutropenia, recent cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or long-term use of oral steroids or other immunosuppressant medication.
* Experiencing faecal incontinence to the extent that it is impossible to obtain an uncontaminated urine sample (as determined by care home staff).
* Indwelling urinary catheter or regular use of intermittent catheterisation.
* Structural urological abnormalities. For example, renal polycystic disease, horseshoe kidney, hydronephrosis, renal hypoplasia
* Current renal tract malignancy. However, residents with prostate cancer will be eligible if they do not require catheterisation and are not considered terminally ill.

Where this trial is running

Southampton

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Urinary Tract Infections
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.