RESUMEN
Background: There is no consensur about the ideal antimicrobial agent and duration of treatment for urinary tract infection in women. Aim: To assess the efficacy of a five days course of ciprofloxacion for the treatment of urinary tract infection in women. Patients and methods: Women with urinary tract infection were treated with ciprofloxacin (Baycip, Bayer) 250mg bid during 5 days. Patients were evaluated three to four days after treatment start, two to seven days and one month after treatment end. Results: Of 101 eligible women, 96 aged 18 to 65 years old, coming from three major Chilean cities, participated in the study and 80 completed the follow up period. There was a 95 percent clinical success, 2.5 percent partial improvement and 2.5 percent treatment failure. The causal microorganism was erradicated in 90 percent of cases, in 1.2 percent treatment failed and in 8.7 percent a re-infection occurred. Adverse effects attributable to the drug were observed in 12 patients (headache in 3, gastrointestinal disturbances in 8, somnolence in 1 and irritability in 1). Conclusions: Ciprofloxacin is an useful antimicrobial for the treatment of lower urinary tract infection in women