Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

ADAPT-AST (Adaptive Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing)

This study, called ADAPT-AST, is focused on improving how we test for antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs are common, and knowing which antibiotic will work quickly is vital. Currently, tests can be slow or use too many resources. Researchers are looking into using a smart data approach called Bayesian causal inference, which uses information already available from NHS patient records. The main idea is to see if this new method can more accurately predict which antibiotics will successfully treat a UTI compared to old methods. If successful, it could help doctors make quicker decisions about treatment, save money and resources in labs and pharmacies, and ultimately lead to better care for patients with UTIs. Please note, no treatments will be given as part of this study.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

500,000

Start

01 Sep 2024

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2026

Urinary Tract Infections

What is this study about?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a very common problem that many people experience. When you get a UTI, it's really important for doctors to know which antibiotic medication will work best to clear up the infection. Currently, testing urine samples to find this out can sometimes take a while, and the standard tests might not always be the most efficient or cost-effective.

This study, called ADAPT-AST, wants to find a smarter, faster way to figure out which antibiotics will be effective for a UTI. Instead of just doing the standard lab tests every time, the researchers are using existing, anonymous health information from NHS patient records – things like previous test results or other health details. They're using clever computer techniques (called Bayesian causal inference) to predict which antibiotics are most likely to work for a specific infection.

The main goals are to see if this new approach can give doctors more accurate information sooner, helping them choose the right treatment quicker. It also aims to reduce waste in laboratories and pharmacies by making the testing process more focused. Ultimately, the hope is that this new method will lead to better treatment for people with UTIs, help tackle antibiotic resistance, and save important NHS resources.

Key takeaways

The study aims to find faster, smarter ways to test for UTIs.
It uses existing anonymous NHS health data, not new tests on patients.
The goal is to predict which antibiotics will work best for UTIs.
Could help doctors choose treatments more quickly and effectively.
Hopes to save NHS resources and fight antibiotic resistance.
No direct patient participation (e.g., no medication, visits, or new tests).

Who may be eligible?

This study will look at information from urine samples that have already been collected and tested from adults aged 18 and over. These samples would have come from patients attending Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) or local GP surgeries, and must have shown that an infection-causing germ was present.

The study will not use information from urine samples that did not grow any germs, nor will it include samples from children under 18 years old. Also, if a urine sample was taken from pregnant women for general screening at Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust (LWfT), that information won't be used, though samples from pregnant women sent by a GP might be included in some cases. The study will only look at bacterial infections, not infections caused by fungi.

Since this study is about looking at existing data, you won't be asked to provide any new samples or undergo any examinations.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Were you 18 years old or older when your urine sample was taken?
Was your urine sample from a GP or Liverpool hospital?
Did your urine sample show signs of a bacterial infection?
Was your urine sample not for a routine pregnancy screening at Liverpool Women's Hospital?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is an observational study, which means it uses existing, anonymous information from past urine tests. You would not be asked to do anything or receive any treatment as part of this study. The researchers will be looking at existing data from thousands of urine samples already collected by the NHS. They will use this information to develop and test their new prediction methods. Your personal information will be kept private and anonymous, and you won't be involved in any appointments, assessments, or follow-up for this study.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study only involves looking at anonymous, existing data from previous urine tests, there are no direct risks or benefits for individual patients. Your personal information will be kept private and confidential. The potential benefit is that the study could lead to improved and faster testing for urinary tract infections in the future, helping doctors make better treatment decisions and saving NHS resources. As you are not actively participating in the study, there is no need to consider withdrawing once your anonymised data has been included.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Liverpool, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a UTI?

A UTI, or Urinary Tract Infection, is a common infection that affects parts of your urinary system, like your bladder or kidneys.

Am I going to be given new medicine in this study?

No, this study does not involve giving any new treatments or medicines. It's about looking at existing health information.

Will my personal health information be safe?

Yes, all personal details are kept private and anonymous. The researchers only use coded-data that can't be linked back to you personally.

What does 'antibiotic resistance' mean?

Antibiotic resistance happens when germs learn to fight off the medicines meant to kill them, making infections harder to treat.

How long will this study last?

The study itself involves analysing existing data over a period of time, but there is no direct involvement or time commitment required from individual patients.