Study	Reason for exclusion
Klastersky 1971	This paper compared an antibiotic (erythromycin) in alkaline conditions with a different antibiotic (nitrofurantoin). Although this paper included a urinary alkaliser, the fact that it was coupled with a different antibiotic to the other study arm means that no conclusions on the efficacy of the alkaliser can be made by comparison of these two groups. Furthermore most of the patients in this study had advanced pelvic cancers, some had urological issues, and some had indwelling urinary catheters meaning that they did not meet inclusion criteria for this review.
Darioli 1983	This study compared a single dose of urinary alkaliser with a single dose of an antibiotic. A single dose of an antibiotic is not an accepted treatment for UTI, and therefore is not an appropriate comparison. The aim of this study was actually to investigate the use of a single dose of antibiotic, and the alkaliser arm was acting as a placebo arm. Furthermore a single dose of urinary alkaliser is not an appropriate dose to change urinary pH.
Butler 1983	This paper compared an antibiotic (nalidixic acid) coupled with a urinary alkaliser (citrate) with a different antibiotic (cotrimoxazole). As in the Klastersky 1971 paper above, no conclusions on the efficacy of the urinary alkaliser can be made from comparison of the two arms in this study.
Reeves 1984	Similar to Klastersky 1971 and Butler 1983, this paper compared an antibiotic (nalidixic acid) coupled with a urinary alkaliser (citrate) with a different antibiotic norfloxacin. No conclusions on the efficacy of the urinary alkaliser can be drawn from this comparison.
Brumfitt 1990	This paper reported on the different urinary pHs seen in patients with 'cystitis'. However, there was no intervention, no urinary alkaliser used
Carter 1991	This study reported on the use of urinary alkalisers for prophylaxis against dysuria following urological intervention. Because there was instrumentation of the urethra/bladder in this study the patients were not eligible for inclusion into this review.