Cited by 281Reproductive tract infections researchAntifungal resistance and susceptibilityUrinary Tract Infections Management

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 33 of the 33 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Current patient perspectives of vulvovaginal candidiasis: incidence, symptoms, management and post-treatment outcomes

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infection affecting women worldwide. Reports of patterns/risk factors/trends for episodic/recurrent VVC (RVVC) are largely outdated. The purpose of this study was to obtain current patient perspectives of several aspects of VVC/RVVC. METHODS: Business cards containing on-line survey information were distributed to healthy volunteers and patients seeking standard, elective, or referral gynecologic care in university-affiliated Obstetrics/Gynecology clinics. The internet-based questionnaire was completed by 284 non-pregnant women (78% Caucasian, 14% African American, 8% Asian). RESULTS: The majority of the participants (78%) indicated a history of VVC with 34% defined as having RVVC. The most common signs/symptoms experienced were itching, burning and redness with similar ranking of symptoms among VVC and RVVC patients. Among risk factors, antibiotic use ranked highest followed by intercourse, humid weather and use of feminine hygiene products. A high number of respondents noted 'no known cause' (idiopathic episodes) that was surprisingly similar among women with a history of either VVC or RVVC. VVC/RVVC episodes reported were primarily physician-diagnosed (73%) with the remainder mostly reporting self-diagnosis and treating with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Most physician-diagnosed attacks utilized a combination of pelvic examination and laboratory tests followed by prescribed antifungals. Physician-treated cases achieved a higher level of symptom relief (84%) compared to those who self-medicated (57%). The majority of women with RVVC (71%) required continual or long-term antifungal medication as maintenance therapy to control symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Current patient perspectives closely reflect historically documented estimates of VVC/RVVC prevalence and trends regarding symptomatology, disease management and post-treatment outcomes.

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Crossref · 10.1186/s12905-019-0748-8

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Figures

Fig. 1 Prevalence of VVC/RVVC and distribution of lifetime/annual frequencies of infection. a Lifetime history of VVC in participating women (n = 284, pie chart) was assessed by a self-reported survey. Total VVC episodes in respondents with disease history were further stratified by lifetime frequencies (n = 204, bar chart). b Respondents with previous VVC episodes were classified by annual frequencies (n = 202, pie chart), and those with annual frequencies of > 3 VVC episodes were further stratified by age (n = 70, bar chart). The percentage in each section indicates the proportion of women among those who reported answers to each parameter. Data were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test for binomial proportions comparing two populations of women categorized by the dashed lines. NS, not significant
Fig. 1 Prevalence of VVC/RVVC and distribution of lifetime/annual frequencies of infection. a Lifetime history of VVC in participating women (n = 284, pie chart) was assessed by a self-reported survey. Total VVC episodes in respondents with disease history were further stratified by lifetime frequencies (n = 204, bar chart). b Respondents with previous VVC episodes were classified by annual frequencies (n = 202, pie chart), and those with annual frequencies of > 3 VVC episodes were further stratified by age (n = 70, bar chart). The percentage in each section indicates the proportion of women among those who reported answers to each parameter. Data were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test for binomial proportions comparing two populations of women categorized by the dashed lines. NS, not significantCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Methods of disease diagnoses and management in women seeking treatment for vaginitis. a The process of diagnosing vaginitis conditions by participating women (n = 214, pie chart) was assessed by a self-reporting survey. Methods of physician-based diagnoses used in respondents seeking medical care were further classified (n = 152, bar chart). b The respondents who underwent antifungal treatment (n = 212) were categorized based on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The percentage in each section indicates the proportion of women among those who reported answers to each parameter. Data (A, pie chart) were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test for a binomial proportion comparing two populations of women opting for physician-based diagnosis and self-diagnosis/other (dashed lines). OCT, over-the-counter (non-prescription)
Fig. 2 Methods of disease diagnoses and management in women seeking treatment for vaginitis. a The process of diagnosing vaginitis conditions by participating women (n = 214, pie chart) was assessed by a self-reporting survey. Methods of physician-based diagnoses used in respondents seeking medical care were further classified (n = 152, bar chart). b The respondents who underwent antifungal treatment (n = 212) were categorized based on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The percentage in each section indicates the proportion of women among those who reported answers to each parameter. Data (A, pie chart) were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test for a binomial proportion comparing two populations of women opting for physician-based diagnosis and self-diagnosis/other (dashed lines). OCT, over-the-counter (non-prescription)CC BY · PubMed Central

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Metadata

Authors
Yano, J., Sobel, J. D., Nyirjesy, P., Sobel, R., Williams, V. L., Yu, Q., Noverr, M. C., & Fidel, P. L.
Affiliations
  • Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans (US)
  • Wayne State University (US)
  • Drexel University (US)
  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (US)
  • Tulane University (US)
Corresponding author
Fidel, Paul L.
Venue
BMC Women's Health
Published
2019-03-29
Volume
19
Issue
1
Pages
48-48
ISSN
1472-6874 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2940415202
Cited by
270
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 9
FWCI
22.77
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Women s Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • The Medicine Forum (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • LSUHSC Foundation
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U54 GM104940)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Reproductive tract infections research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Urinary Tract Infections Management
Keywords
vaginal candidiasis, recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, patient perspectives, clinical symptoms, risk factors, antibiotic use, self-medication, antifungal therapy, maintenance therapy, physician diagnosis, prevalence
MeSH terms
Adult, Antifungal Agents, Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Status, Humans, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Incidence, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

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