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Published on: December 8, 2011
Risk factors for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis
Slobodan Janković1, Dragica Bojović, Dubravka Vukadinović
1University of Kragujevac, Medical Faculty, Kragujevac, Serbia. slobnera@eunet.rs
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
|November 11, 2010
Summary
Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis may be linked to daily panty liner use and tampons during menstruation. Self-medication with antifungals can worsen these risks.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is common and can lead to chronic pain.
- Identifying risk factors for RVVC in reproductive-aged women is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine risk factors for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in non-pregnant, reproductive-aged females.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study involving 51 cases (≥4 episodes/year) and 132 controls (1-3 episodes/year) of RVVC.
- Data collected via patient records and unstructured interviews on habits and medical history.
- Logistic regression used to adjust for potential risk factors.
Main Results:
- Continual panty liner use (adjusted OR: 3.97) and predominant tampon use during menstruation (adjusted OR: 4.25) were significantly associated with RVVC.
- A synergistic effect was observed with concurrent panty liner use and self-medication with antimycotics.
Conclusions:
- Local factors, such as panty liners and tampons, may promote RVVC recurrence.
- Self-medication with antimycotics exacerbates the risk associated with these local factors.
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