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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Feb 24;72(716):e225-e233.
doi: 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0359. Print 2022 Mar.

Urine collection devices to reduce contamination in urine samples for diagnosis of uncomplicated UTI: a single-blind randomised controlled trial in primary care

Gail Hayward  1 , Sam Mort  1 , Ly-Mee Yu  1 , Merryn Voysey  2 , Margaret Glogowska  1 , Caroline Croxson  1 , Yaling Yang  1 , Julie Allen  1 , Johanna Cook  1 , Sarah Tearne  3 , Nicola Blakey  1 , Sharon Tonner  1 , Vanshika Sharma  1 , Meena Patil  1 , Sadie Kelly  1 , Christopher C Butler  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Urine collection devices to reduce contamination in urine samples for diagnosis of uncomplicated UTI: a single-blind randomised controlled trial in primary care

Gail Hayward et al. Br J Gen Pract. .

Abstract

Background: Urine collection devices (UCDs) are being marketed and used in clinical settings to reduce urine sample contamination, despite inadequate supporting evidence.

Aim: To determine whether UCDs, compared with standardised instructions for urine sample collection, reduce the proportion of contaminated samples.

Design and setting: Single-blind randomised controlled trial in general practices in England and Wales.

Method: Women aged ≥18 years presenting with symptoms attributable to urinary tract infection (UTI) were randomised (1:1:1) to use either a Peezy UCD or a Whiz Midstream UCD, or were given standardised verbal instructions (SVI) for midstream sample collection. The primary outcome was the proportion of urine samples reported as contaminated by microbiology laboratory analysis.

Results: A total of 1264 women (Peezy UCD: n = 424; Whiz Midstream UCD: n = 421; SVI: n = 419) were randomised between October 2016 and August 2018. Ninety women were excluded from the primary analysis as a result of ineligibility or lack of primary outcome data, leaving 1174 (Peezy UCD: n = 381; Whiz Midstream UCD: n = 390; SVI: n = 403) for intention-to-treat analysis. The proportion of contaminated samples was 26.5% with the Peezy UCD, 28.2% with the Whiz Midstream UCD, and 29.0% with SVI (relative risk: Peezy UCD versus SVI = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.09, P = 0.32; Whiz Midstream UCD versus SVI = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.97 to 1.20, P = 0.82). There were 100 (25.3%) device failures with the Peezy UCD and 35 (8.8%) with the Whiz Midstream UCD; the proportion of contaminated samples was similar after device failure samples were excluded.

Conclusion: Neither the Peezy UCD nor the Whiz Midstream UCD reduced urine sample contamination when used by women presenting to primary care with suspected UTI. Their use cannot be recommended for this purpose in this setting.

Keywords: diagnosis; general practice; laboratory analysis; randomised controlled trial; urinary tract infections; urine specimen collection.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Consort flow diagram. aA 2-week snapshot screening log suggested that 63.9% of patients approached were eligible and 39.6% of those approached consented to participate (63.6% of those eligible). ITT = intention to treat. SVI = standardised verbal instructions. UCD = urine collection device. UTI = urinary tract infection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Astonishing results.
    Forte V. Forte V. Br J Gen Pract. 2022 Mar 31;72(717):157-158. doi: 10.3399/bjgp22X718913. Print 2022 Apr. Br J Gen Pract. 2022. PMID: 35361607 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Midstream versus first-void urine samples.
    Llor C. Llor C. Br J Gen Pract. 2022 Mar 31;72(717):158. doi: 10.3399/bjgp22X718937. Print 2022 Apr. Br J Gen Pract. 2022. PMID: 35361608 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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