This study is now complete, please see associated articles under the Publications tab. The PRINCESS trial will assess the efficacy and mechanisms of a nutritional intervention (daily probiotics) to enhance immune function and reduce infection in care home residents. This is anticipated to reduce antibiotic prescribing for common infectious diseases in a high-risk population.
Background
Care home residents (CHR) are particularly vulnerable to common infectious diseases which are the commonest cause of hospitalisation in this group, and often result in lasting health decline. Frailty, atypical presentation and bacterial colonisation patterns lead to high antibiotic use. Reducing antibiotic prescribing in the expanding care home sector is central to the challenge of containing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in UK.
The PRINCESS trial will assess the efficacy and mechanisms of a nutritional intervention (daily probiotics) to enhance immune function and reduce infection in care home residents. This is anticipated to reduce antibiotic prescribing for common infectious diseases in a high-risk population. Antibiotic prescribing directly correlates with resistance. Fewer antibiotics will reduce the driving influence on AMR and is expected to reduce the likelihood of subsequent resistant infection.
Local investigator: Dr Mark Lown
Funder: Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme, an initiative of the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research.
Duration: July 2015 for 39 months.
Contact: Dr Mark Lown M.Lown@soton.ac.uk
Website: PRINCESS
Completed: Please see associated publications in the ‘Publications’ tab.