Three evidence-backed ways to prevent recurrent UTI without antibiotics, and discharge errors hit one in five older patients needing GP action

The edition in brief

An overview of 27 systematic reviews in BJGP found that cranberry products, methenamine hippurate and, after the menopause, vaginal oestrogen are supported for preventing recurrent UTI in women; probiotics, D-mannose, herbal medicine, acupuncture and vaccines need stronger evidence, and extra fluid helps women who drink little. A record review of 263 patients aged 65 or over discharged to seven English practices found that, among patients whose discharge summary asked the practice to act, 20.6% experienced an error and 4.4% harm; most harms led to readmission and patients with dementia or a carer were most affected. Among 2.3 million adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes in English primary care, social prescribing reached more deprived people and those with depression or anxiety, and from three years after referral was associated with lower diabetes incidence (aHR 0.88). In an online experiment with 349 adults, a doctor showing warmth and competence when giving a normal test result lowered perceived likelihood of serious disease and the wish for more tests. The pearl covers setting expectations before ordering a test.