SUPPRESSION OF BACTERIURIA BY METHENAMINE MANDELATE IN AGED HOSPITAL PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DISEASE

Therapeutic success in the treatment of urinary-tract infections in aged patients is admittedly unpredictable because of the high frequency of anatomical urinary-tract abnormalities and degenerative vascular disease. This preliminary study involved 90 aged patients in a chronic disease hospital. Before the study began, 65 of the 90 patients had bacteriuria; during approximately four weeks of methenamine mandelate therapy, the bacteriuria cleared in 72 per cent. Initially, 25 of the 90 patients did not have bacteriuria, but in 13 of the 25, bacteriuria was present by the end of the treatment period. The medication was well accepted by the patients, and no significant adverse reactions were observed. The data indicate that the prophylactic or therapeutic use of methenamine mandelate to suppress bacteriuria does not involve any medical risk. If the causes of urinary-tract obstruction are removed, this medication may control bacteriuria even in geriatric patients with severe and debilitating diseases. © 1969 The American Geriatrics Society.