Research

The UTI Priority Setting Partnership

This partnership was initiated and funded by AMR Action UK. We are worked in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including colleagues at Bladder Health UK and The Urology Foundation to deliver this important project.

The partnership brought together people who live with, or have lived with, chronic and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), along with their families, carers and healthcare professionals. The project was guided by a steering group made up of individuals with lived experience and clinicians, working together as equals to ensure inclusivity throughout the process.

The overall aim of the project was to identify the unanswered questions about chronic and recurrent UTIs from the perspectives of patients, carers and clinicians – and then prioritise those that matter most for future research.

To do this, we partnered with the James Lind Alliance (JLA), a respected organisation that facilitates patients and clinicians to collaborate to guide and shape research priorities. This approach ensured that research funding focuses on what truly matters to those affected.

Exploring Antibiotic Use in Deprived Areas of Glasgow (ExpAnD)

AMR Action UK supported the ExpAnD study, which investigated why people living in socioeconomically deprived communities are more likely to receive antibiotics. This research focused on one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas, exploring how deprivation influences clinical decision-making for respiratory infections, how community members interpret symptoms and seek treatment, and what policy solutions could improve prescribing practices.

Through interviews with clinicians and observations in local practices, the study is uncovered the social and contextual factors driving antibiotic use. The findings will inform targeted antimicrobial stewardship strategies in Scotland and beyond, helping to reduce unnecessary prescriptions and combat AMR at its roots.

Improving Outcomes for Necrotising Otitis Externa (IONOE)

AMR Action UK also funded the IONOE study, the largest prospective observational study of necrotising otitis externa (NOE) in the UK. NOE is a rare but severe ear infection that mainly affects older people and those with underlying conditions such as diabetes. Treatment is complex, often requiring prolonged hospital stays, and there are currently no standardised national guidelines.

The study has provided vital insights into risk factors, treatment variation, and patient outcomes, confirming links with diabetes and identifying additional risks such as chronic kidney disease and ear syringing. These findings lay the foundation for the first UK clinical guidelines for NOE, aiming to improve diagnosis, treatment, and cost-effectiveness of care. By funding this work, AMR Action UK is helping to drive progress in tackling complex infections and reducing antimicrobial resistance.